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THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE JEWS 
IN NEW YORK, 1654-1664. 

SOME NEW MATTER ON THE SUBJECT. / 7 p^ 



BT 

SAMUEL OPPENHEIM. 



Pbinted fob the Author 

And fob the Publications of the Amebican Jewish Histomcai. 

Society, No. 18 (1909). 



COPYRIGHT, 1909, 

BY SAMUEL OPPENHEIM, 

Residence, 811 Dawson St., Bronx Borough, N. Y. 

Formerly, at 141 East 111th St., N. Y. 






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THE EAKLY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN" NEW 

YORK, 1654-1664. 

SOME NEW MATTER ON THE SUBJECT. 

Bt Samuel Oppenheim. 

" What they may be able to obtain from your Honors, time 
will tell." 

With these humble words, Stuyvesant concluded his remarks 
about the Jews in New Amsterdam, in a letter he wrote to the 
Directors of the Dutch West India Company, on June 10, 
1656. That letter has not heretofore been published or re- 
ferred to. The part of it relating to the Jews will be set out 
further on. It was written about a year after he had received 
the Directors' letter of April 26, 1655, containing the infor- 
mation that they had decided to grant a certain petition of 
the Jews for permission to trade to and in New Netherland 
and to reside there. That petition or its substance has never 
seen print, nor has that part of Stuyvesant's letter relating 
to the Jews, dated September 22, 1654, calling forth the 
reply mentioning the granting of the petition. These two 
and extracts from two other letters of Stuyvesant relating to 
the Jews will now be given for the first time. They throw an 
interesting and important light on the subject of the settle- 
ment of the Jews in this country, and incidentally upon the 
situation of the Jews in Holland and England. Other docu- 
ments, heretofore published, will also be given here but in a 
revised translation, as an examination of the Dutch originals 
shows that, in a number of cases, the translations as printed 
do not closely follow the original, and, in others, words have 
been mistranslated. The important variations will be pointed 
out. Translations will also be given of Dutch documents 
from the archives at Albany, heretofore referred to only from 



2 American Jewish Historical Society. 

the calendared note of their contents, but the full text of 
which adds to our information of the doings of the early 
Jewish settlers. 

The statement heretofore appearing, that some Jews had 
been sent here from Holland to serve as soldiers for one year 
in 1652, requires correction as unsupported by the original 
Dutch record, a translation of which from the MS. English 
copy at Albany was cited as authority. The error arose 
through an obscurity in the reading of the word " few " as 
« Jew ''or" Jews." ^ 

Some Jews had come to New Amsterdam in the summer of 
1654, in order to trade. The Dutch Domine, the Reverend 
Johannes Megapolensis, in a letter dated at that city, March 
18, 1655, and addressed to the Classis of Amsterdam, re- 
ferred to this fact and the further arrival of Jews later, as 
follows : 

Last summer some Jews came here from Holland, in order to 
trade. Afterwards, some Jews, poor and healthy, also came here 
on the same ship with D: Polheymis .... Now again in the 
spring some have come from Holland, and report that a great 
many of that lot would yet follow and then build here their 
synagogue.^ 

I The date heretofore accepted for the arrival of the first 
Jews in New York is usually given as July 8, 1654, with the 

* See Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 3, pp. 74-75, citing Vanderkemp's MS. Translation of Dutch 
Colonial Records, N. Y., Vol. IV, p. 65, under date of April 4, 
1652 — letter of the Directors to Stuyvesant — to read: "Among 
them you shall find ' some Jews ' on the muster rolls," etc., instead 
of "some few" on the muster rolls. The Dutch reads: " onder 
welcke uE eenige weynich op de rolle sullen gedenoteert vinden, 
maer voor Soldaten sullen v'bonden syn een Jaer naer aencomste 
aldaer, als wanneer sy haer tot den ackerbow willen begeven, 
dat uitter natuyre haer ambacht ist geweest." 

^Ecclesiastical Records of New York, Albany, N. Y., 1901, I, p. 
355, as revised after comparison with the Dutch original. See 
Appendix for fuller copy of letter and extract from original. The 
translation will be referred to later. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 3 

ship Peartree, on which Jacob Barsimson, a Jew, was a pas- 
senger.' 

This date, however, requires change; it is the date when 
the ship left Holland, as appears from a record at Albany 
giving a list of passengers sailing from Holland to New 
Nelherland between 1654 and 1664, who had not prepaid 
their passage. This shows that Jacob Barsimson and Jacob 
Aboaf, Jews, left Holland to come here with the Perehoom, 
or Peartree, on July 8, 1654, and that Aboaf did not continue 
his journey but stopped off in England. Barsimson appar- 
ently arrived here August 22, 1654, when it appears that his 
passage money of thirty-six guilders was paid, whether by him 
or some one else is not stated^ The full record, now printed 
for the first time, is here given as translated from the Dutch. 
It is taken from the account of the treasurer of the colony, 
and reads as follows : 

Amsterdam, in New Netherland, Ao. 1654. 
Jacob Aboaf, Jew, Debtor. 

For freight and board on his coming hitherward Ao. 1654, 8 

July, per ship Peartree [f36 . . ]»" 

[Credit]** 

[Note.]'" This person did not come here, but went ashore in 

England. Write off therefore again f36 . . 

Jacob Barsimson, Jew, Debtor. 

For freight and board on his coming hitherward Ao. 1654, 8 

July, per ship Peartree f36 . . 

Credit 

By Cash received, and entered as a debit in my Cash Account 
in Book No. E, under date of 22 August, current money 72 guilders 
in payment of Holland money f36 . .* 

* Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 
2, p. 77, in which Mr. Max J. Kohler first called attention to Jews 
having been on that ship, citing Uew York Genealogical and Bio- 
graphical Record, Vol. 14, p. 181. 

'* Paper destroyed. 

*2^. y. Colonial MSS., Vol. XIV, p. 83, in N. Y. State Library. 

See also Year Book of the Holland Society of New York, for 



4 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Early in September, 1654, some Jews, as has often been 
noted, and a further reference to whom will be made later on, 
came to New Amsterdam/ \Their arrival and their desire 
to remain called forth a letter from Stuyvesant to the Direc- 
tors of the Dutch West India Company, dated September 22, 
1654, the receipt of which was acknowledged April 26, 1655. 
In that letter the following, now published for the first time, 
occurs in relation to the Jews, the translated extract being 
given in the form recently found by the writer in a clearly 
written Dutch MS. of the period, to which a copy of the pe- 
tition referred to at the beginning of this paper was attached : 

Extract from a certain letter from Director 
Jews. Peter Stuyvesant to the Amsterdam Chamber, 

dated Manhattan, September 22, 1654. 
The Jews who have arrived would nearly all like to remain 
here, but learning that they (with their customary usury and 
deceitful trading with the Christians) were very repugnant 
to the inferior magistrates, as also to the people having the most 
affection for you; the Deaconry also fearing that owing to their 
present indigence they might become a charge in the coming 
winter, we have, for the benefit of this weak and newly devel- 

1902, pp. 5 et seq., containing the full list of names, copied from 
the Albany records, but not the full entries connected with the 
names. The only Jewish names found in the list are Barsimson 
and Aboaf. Mr. A. J. F. van Laer, the archivist in charge of the 
manuscript records at the New York State Library, to whom 
thanks are due for many courtesies in the preparation of this 
paper, in a letter to the writer in reference to the date of the 
sailing of the Peartree, wrote as follows: 

" The date, July 8, 1654, in the entries of which I sent you 
copies in my letter .... refers to the time when the ship 
de Pereboom left Holland. The term ' herwaerts gecomen ' im- 
plies this, but to make sure I have compared various entries in 
the accounts with the bills of lading which we have and find 
that in every case the dates given in the accounts correspond with 
that of the sailing of the vessel from Holland, as indicated in the 
bill of lading." 

" Records of New Amsterdam, N. Y., 1897, I, pp. 240, 241, 242, 
244, reprinted in the Appendix. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 5 

oping place and the land in general, deemed it useful to require 
them in a friendly way to depart; praying also most seriously 
in this connection, for ourselves as also for the general community 
of your worships, that the deceitful race, — such hateful enemies 
and blasphemers of the name of Christ,— be not allowed further 
to infect and trouble this new colony, to the detraction of your 
worships and^the dissatisfaction of your worships' most affection- 
ate subjects.* 

The inferior magistrates mentioned by Stuyvesant were the 
Schout (Sheriff), Burgomasters (Mayors) and Schepens 
(Aldermen), who were constituted the Inferior Court of 
Jusjtice on February 26, 1654/ 

fOn March 1, 1655, the following entry appears in the court 
records : 

Fiscal van Tienhoven informed the Burgomaster and Schepens, 
the Director General and Supreme Council have resolved that the 
Jews who came last year from the West Indies and now from 
Fatherland, must prepare to depart forthwith, and that they shall 
receive notice thereof, and asked whether Burgomasters and 

•The Dutch original reads as follows: 

Extract uijt seeckere missive van de directeur 
Joden Petrus Stuyvesant aen Camer van Amsterdan 

dato Manhattans 22n September 1654 

De overgecomen jooden souden meerendeel gaem hier sijn geble- 
ven, maer ervarende datse de subalteme Magistraten, als oock de 
beste geaffectioneerste (mits haer gewoonlijcke woeckerije en 
bedriegelijcken handel neffens de Christenen) seer tegens de borst 
waren — de diacons oock vresende datse vermits haer tegen- 
woordige behoeftigheeden den aenstaen winter tot laste mochte 
comen, hebben voor dese tedere en eerst opluijckende beginselen 
van dese plaetse ende de lande jnt generael nuttelijcxst geoordeelt 
haer in cevielheijt te laten vertrecken, willende oock soo ten re- 
garde, van ons selffs als vande goede gemeente V. E. A. opt seri- 
euselijcxst gebeeden hebben met dat bedriegelijck geslachte soo 
hatelijcke vijanden en blafemateurs vande name Christ] dese 
nieuwe colonic niet meer te willen infecteeren en becommeren, 
tot blaem van u E. A. en misnoegen van V. E. best geaffection- 
eerste onderdanen, 

^Records of Neic Amsterdam, N. Y., 1897, I, p. 173. 



6 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Schepens had anything to object thereto. It was decided No, ;/ 
but that the resolution relating thereto should take its course/j/ 

^I'his reference to the resolution of the Director General and 
Council apparently related to the requirement to leave (geoor- 
deelt), mentioned by Stuyvesant in his letter of September 22, 
1654, and was not a new proceeding. During the first half of 
1655 Stuyvesant was in the West Indies, and the submission of 
the matter to the Burgomasters and Schepens was probably 
made in view of his expected return. The matter having been 
submitted to the home authorities it is unlikely that any abso- 
lute action upon the decision that the. Jews should leave was 
taken before hearing from abroad. IThat they clid not leave at 
Stuyvesant's request in 1654 appears from the above reference 
to their still being in New Amsterdam in March, 1655, though 
the record shows that those who arrived in September had 
written to Holland in October, 1654, for a remittance to 
enable them to pay the balance due after the sale of their 
goods and after the complainants in the suit for the cost of 
their transportation from the South had. agreed to wait until 
word came from Patria or Fatherland,, This, in the then 
slow going and infrequent voyages, • probably did not arrive 
until the spring, with the Jews who then came. The state- 

*Id., I, p. 291. It was at this meeting also that the complaint 
was made against Abraham deLucena for keeping open his store 
during the sermon and selling by retail, two distinct offences, 
for neither of which does he seem to have been punished, as the 
court minutes contain no further record on the subject. Nicasius 
deSille, the Schout, had asked for a heavy fine of 600 guilders, 
and some good reason must have existed to induce him to with- 
draw the charges. The date, March 1, 1655, is prior to the letter 
of Megapolensis, and Lucena was among the few described by 
him as coming in the spring from Holland. He had probably 
been in Brazil before coming here. There is a place on the coast 
of Brazil, not very far north from Recife, where the Dutch and 
Jews had been in 1654, known as Punto deLucena. See Passkaart 
vande Zee Kusten van Brazilie, by C. J. Voogt, dated Amsterdam, 
1695, in library of the Hispanic Society of America. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 7 

ment that "the resolution relating thereto should take its 
course" does not mean that the Jews were then compelled 
to leave, but that the Burgomasters had taken formal action 
pursuant to Stuyvesant's request, and that they awaited his 
signature to an actual order to depart. ^ No reference appears 
in the local records, which are now printed, to any actual de- 
parture of the Jews following the action of the Burgo- 
masters, and we can assume that if the order had been carried 
out some reference thereto would have appeared in one of the 
various documents relating to the Jews or in the proceedings 
of a later date. Certainly as to those referred to as now from 
Fatherland the order was not carried out, although the sub- 
mission of the matter to the Burgomasters undoubtedly arose 
because of their arrival. As to them the matter could not 
in March, 1655, have been definitely acted upon in the absence 
of Stuyvesant, as they were not in the colony when he wrote 
in September, 1654. These new arrivals must have included 
Abraham de Lucena who, as already appears, was on the same 
day before the court on the charge of violation of the 
Sunday law, and of selling by retail, and also David de Ferera, 
who hired a house a week later, as appears from a copy 
of his lease now for the first time published, and forming 
part of the Appendix hereto. Salvador d'Andrada was also 
among them, judging from the fact that in July of the same 
year he, with the two others just named, made an application 
for the purchase of a burial ground, which will be referred 
to further on. All of these, and Asser Levy, mentioned among 
the arrivals in September and as from the West Indies, are 
still found recorded as in the colony for several years after. 
The complaint against de Lucena indicates that on March 1, 
1655, he was a new arrival. If an older resident he would 
have known what the custom was in New Amsterdam, and 
not subjected himself to the charge of violating the Sunday 
law. 
The West India Compan/s reply to Stuyvesant's letter haa 



8 American Jewish Historical Society. 

( often been printed, but it is deemed well to give again the 
part relating to the Jews, in a revised translation, differing 
somewhat from that oflBcially published.' The variations will 
be indicated in a foot note. This reply, dated April 26, 1655, 
reads as follows: 

We would have liked to effectuate and fulfill" (a) your wishes 
and request that the new territories should no more be allowed 
to be infected (b) by people of the Jewish nation, for we foresee 
therefrom (c) the same difficulties which you fear, but after 
having further weighed and considered the matter, we observe 
that this (d) would be somewhat (e) unreasonable and unfair, 
especially because of the considerable loss sustained by this 
nation, with others, (f ) in the taking of Brazil, as (g) also because 
of the large amount of capital which they still (h) have invested 
in the shares of this company. Therefore after many delibera- 
tions we have finally (i) decided and resolved to apostille (j) 
upon a certain petition presented by said Portuguese Jews that 
these people may travel and trade to and in New Netherland (k) 
and live and remain there, provided the poor among them shall 
not become a burden to the company or to the community, but be 
supported by their own nation. You will now (1) govern yourself 
accordingly. 

" See Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. T., XIV, p. 315. 

"(a) In the official printed translation by Mr. Berthold Fernow 
the reading is " agree to." The original reads " geeffectueert ende 
volbracht." 

(b) The original, following Stuyvesant's letter, reads " gain- 
fecteert," and was misread by Fernow as " geinserteert " and 
translated by him as " invaded." " Niet meer .... mochte 
werden " was translated " should not be further." 

(c) The original is " hieruyt," which Fernow made " from such 
immigration." 

(d) The original is " tselve," which Fernow translated " it." 

(e) The original has " hebben gemerckt tselve eenichsints stry- 
dende te syn tegens de reden ende billickheyt." Fernow omitted 
translation of " eenichsints," meaning " somewhat." 

(f) Fernow made this "the Jews." The original has " dese 
natie int generael," or " this nation in general," a better reading 
of which is as above given. 

(g) Fernow made " als " "and." The original has " soo van 
den .... als de," or " because of the .... as the." 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 9 

The petition referred to in the company's reply haa not 
heretofore been published, and is here given, as translated 
from the Dutch, following the form in the original version 
which is given below. It was made in Amsterdam, and is un- 
doubtedly one of the most important documents we have in 
relation to the settlement of the Jews in this country. It 

reads as follows/: 

1655, January ' To the Honorable Lords, Directors of the Char- 
Petition of the ' tered West India Company, Chamber of the 
Jewish Nation. City of Amsterdam. 

The merchants of the Portuguese Nation residing in this City 

respectfully remonstrate to your Honors that it has come to their 

knowledge that your Honors raise obstacles to 

Granted th t ^^^ giving of permits or passports to the Portu- 

.. _ guese Jews to travel and to go to reside in New 
they may re- 

. , J X « Netherland, which if persisted in will result 

side and traffic, . .,.,,, 

. , , ., to the great disadvantage of the Jewish nation, 

provided they ., , ,. ^ T ^ x xi. 

, „ , , It also can be of no advantage to the general 

come a^'charge Company but rather damaging. 

., , There are many of the nation who have lost 

upon the dea- . 

., their possessions at Pernambuco and have ar- 

conry or the 
Comnanv rived from there in great poverty, and part 

of them have been dispersed here and there. 

So that your petitioners had to expend large 
sums of money for their necessaries of life, and through lack of 
opportunity all cannot remain here to live. And as they cannot 

(h) The original has " alsnoch," which Fernow did not trans- 
late. 

(i) The original has " Sulcx dat we eyntelyck nae menich- 
vuldige deliberatien hebben," which Fernow made "After many 
consultations we have." 

(j) The original has " te appostilleren," which Fernow did not 
translate. This word means " to note " or " to note in the mar- 
gin " or " to note at the foot," and becomes important in exam- 
ining the copy of the petition which has a note, at the side, of 
the granting of it. 

(k) Fernow translated " syluyden sullen mogen varen ende 
negotieren naer ende op nieunederlandt, oock aldaer woonen ende 
verblijven," as " they shall have permission to sail to and trade 



10 American Jewish Historical Society. 

go to Spain or Portugal because of the Inquisition, a great part 
of the aforesaid people must in time be obliged to depart for other 
territories of their High Mightinesses the States-General and their 
Companies, in order there, through their labor and efforts, to 
be able to exist under the protection of the administrators of 
your Honorable Directors, observing and obeying your Honors' 
orders and commands. 

It is well known to your Honors that the Jewish nation in 
Brazil have at all times been faithful and have striven to guard 
and maintain that place, risking for that purpose their possessions 
and their blood. 

Yonder land is extensive and spacious. The more of loyal 
people that go to live there, the better it is in regard to the popu- 
lation of the country as in regard to the payment of various ex- 
cises and taxes which may be imposed there, and in regard to the 
increase of trade, and also to the importation of all the necessaries 
that may be sent there. 

Your Honors should also consider that the Honorable Lords, 
the Burgomasters of the City and the Honorable High Illustrious 
Mighty Lords, the States-General, have in political matters always 
protected and considered the Jewish nation as upon the same foot- 
ing as all the inhabitants and burghers. Also it is conditioned 
in the treaty of perpetual peace with the King of Spain that the 
Jewish nation shall also enjoy the same liberty as all other inhab- 
itants of these lands. 

Your Honors should also please consider that many of the 
Jewish nation are principal shareholders in the Company. They 
have always striven their best for the Company, and many of 
their nation have lost immense and great capital in its shares and 
obligations. 

The Company has by a general resolution consented that those 
who wish to populate the Colony shall enjoy certain districts of 
land gratis. Why should now certain subjects of this State not 
be allowed to travel thither and live there? The French consent 

in New Netherland, and to live and remain there." The trans- 
lation above is closer to the original and shows that the grant 
was larger than his translation indicated, as it gave the Jews 
the right not only to trade in but also to New Netherland. This 
gave them the right to bring in goods from abroad. As given 
by Fernow, the right was simply to trade in New Netherland. 
(1) The original has " alsnu," which Fernow did not translate. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 11 

that the Portuguese Jews may traffic and live in Martinique, Chris- 
topher and others of their territories, whither also some have 
gone from here, as your Honors Imow. The English also consent 
at the present time that the Portuguese and Jewish nation may 
go from London and settle at Barbados, whither also some have 
gone. 

As foreign nations consent that the Jewish nation may go to 
live and trade in their territories, how can your Honors forbid 
the same and refuse transportation to this Portuguese nation who 
reside here and have been settled here well on to about sixty 
years, many also being born here and confirmed burghers, and 
this to a land that needs people for its increase? 

Therefore the petitioners request, for the reasons given above 
(as also others which they omit to avoid prolixity), that your 
Honors be pleased not to exclude but to grant the Jewish nation 
passage to and residence in that country; otherwise this would 
result in a great prejudice to their reputation. Also that by an 
Apostille and Act the Jewish nation be permitted, together with 
other inhabitants, to travel, live and traffic there, and with them, 
enjoy liberty on condition of contributing like others, &c. Which 
doing, &c" 

"The Dutch original of the above is as follows: 
1655, January Aende Ed: Heeren de Bewinthebberen vande 

Request vande geoctroijeerde Westjndische Compe ter Camere 
Joodsche Natie. der Stad Amstelredamme. 

De cooplieden vande Portugese Natie, hier ter Steede woonende, 
remonstreeren aen uwe Ed: reverentel. dat aen haere kennisse 

is gecomen, dat uwe Ede difficulteijt maecken, 
Is toegestaen parmissie ofte paspoorten te geven aen portu^ 

dat se mogen geese Jooden omme te mogen varen en te gaen 
woonen en woonen in Nieu Nederlant, twelck soo daer bij 

traffiqueeren gepersisteert wert, sal strecken tot groot nadeel 

mits deselve vande Joodtsche Natie, oock can tselve geen 

niet tot laste voordeel geven vande Generale Compe., jmmers 
van de dia- eer schadelyck. Daer sijn veel van die Natie, 

conien co- die haer welvaren verlooren hebben tot Pher- 

mende ofte de nambuco, en sijn van daer met groote arre- 
Compagne moede overgecomen, een gedeelte sijn noch hier 

en daer verstroijt sulcx dat de Supplten met 
groote Somme gelts hare behoeften moeten remedieeren, en door 
gebreck van possibiliteijt connen alle deselve alhier niet blijven 



12 American Jewish Historical Society. 

The date at the head of the document indicates that the 
remonstrance or petition was made some time in January, 
1655. The note at its side is undoubtedly the " apostille *' 
mentioned in the compan3^s letter of April 26, 1655, and 
was made on February 15 of that year, as appears from 
various petitions of the Jews to the authorities in New Am- 
sterdam, to be quoted further on, in which an order or apos- 
tille of the Dutch West India Company of that date, in the 
terms of this note, is referred to. It follows also the language 
of the petition which asked for an apostille which was the 
usual method of acting upon a request for relief. 

woonen. En dewijle ter saecke de Inquisitie deselve nae Portugael 
noch Spangien niet mogen varen, sullen een groot gedeelte, vant 
voors. volck metter tijt moeten vertrecken nae andere conquesten 
vande Ede. Ho: Mo: Heeren Staaten Generael en derselver compag- 
nien, omme aldaer door hunnen arbeijt en agentie te mogen leven, 
onder de proteque vande administrateurs van uwe Ede. Bewintheb- 
beren, — mede observeerende en obedieerende uwe Ede. bevelen 
en ordonnantien. Het is aen uwe Ede. wel bewust hoe dat de 
joodsche Natie in Brasil mede alle tijt getrou sijn geweest, en 
gesocht hebben die plaetse te bewaren en mainteneeren, tot dien 
eynde hebben hun goet en bloet gerisiqueert. Het land is ginder 
groot en ruijm, hoe meerder getrou volck aldaer gaet woonen, 
hoe beter dattet is, Soo totte populatie van t land, als tot betalinge 
van eenige axsijsen ofte jmpositien die aldaer souden mogen 
gestelt sijn ende tot augmentatie vande negotie, en meer toe- 
voer van alle behoeften die derwarts gesonden werden. Oock 
sullen uwe Ede. gelieven in consideratie te nemen dat de Ede. 
Heeren Burgermeesteren van dese Stad ende de Ede. doorl: Ho: 
Mo: Heeren Staten Generael aen de joodtsche Natie althoos 
gepatrocineert en gereputeert hebben (jnt stuck van policie) op 
een graet neffens alle de jnwoonders en Burgeren. Soo jst oock 
geconditioneert int Tractaet van den eeuwigen vrede met den 
Coninck van Spangien dat de Joodtsche natie oock souden genie- 
ten deselve vrijheijt als alle andere jngesetenen deser landen. 
Mede gelieven uwe Ed : te considereeren dat veele vande Joodsche 
natie sijn Hooftparticipanten inde Compe., sulcx hebben altoos 
het beste van de Compe. gesocht, ende veele van hunne natie 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 13 

The marginal note is in a different hand from that of the 
body of the petition, and, like the word " Joden " or Jews 
in the extract from the Stuyvesant letter, is in the writing of 
Hans Bontemantel, a Director of the Amsterdam Chamber of 
the Dutch West India Company, and also an Alderman of 
that city. The rest of the writing is in an engrosser's hand. 

Who the petitioners were does not appear, as only a copy 
of the petition, without signatures, has been preserved. It 
was, as remarked, attached to the extract from Stuyvesant's 
letter, and no doubt formed part of some document submitted 
to the ^ew Amsterdam authorities, as may be gathered from 

hebben sware en groote capitalen inde actien en obligatien ver- 
looren. De Compe. heeft bij generale resolutie toegelaten, dat de 
geene die Colonijen wilden populeeren souden genieten seecker 
district lants gratis. Hoe souden nu geene particuliere onder- 
danen van dese Staet derwarts mogen varen en woonen. De 
fransen consenteeren, dat tot Martinicas, Christoffel, en elders 
hunne conquesten sullen gaen traficqueeren en woonen de Portu- 
gese jooden, derwarts oock eenige van hier gevaren sijn u Ede.: 
bekent. Oock geven de Engelschen tegenwoordigh consent dat 
de Portugese en Joodtsche natie uijt London mogen varen en 
gaen woonen tot Barbados, gelijck oock eenige derwarts gevaren 
sijn. Als de vremde natien consenteeren dat de Jootse natie 
mogen gaen woonen en negotieeren nae bunne conquesten, boe 
souden uwe Ede. tselve ende de passagie verbieden aen dese 
Portugese natie die alhier woonen, en wel ontrent 60 jaren ber- 
warts albier geseten sijn, oock veele albier ingebooren en jnges- 
eten Burgers, en dat nae een land dat volck van doen beeft om 
geaugmenteert te werden. Soo dat de Supplianten versoecken 
om de redenen boven verhaelt (en meer andere die sij naelaten 
omme geene prolexiteijt te causeeren) dat uwe Ede. gelieven de 
joodtscbe natie, niet te excludeeren, maer de passagie en wooninge 
aldaer te lande te vergunnen. Andersints soude tselve tot groot 
nadeel van bunne reputatie gescbieden. Maer dat bij appos^'ile 
en acte de jootscbe natie wert gepermitteert neffens ar-dere 
jnwoonderen der varts te n ^gen i-arec, wnonen er traficqueeren, 
en mede aldaer de vrijheijt genieten mits contribueerende als 
andere enz. Twelck doende enz. 



14 American Jewish Historical Society. 

references to it in various other petitions to be quoted, in 
which the " apostille " or order of Febniax}' 15, 1655, is re- 
ferred to as annexed. 

The treaty of peace with Spain, referred to in the peti- 
tion, was the treaty of Munster of 1648. Though the Jews 
were not specifically mentioned in it the question whether 
they were included in its terms arose soon after, and was 
finally oflEicially determined in their favor. The date 1657 is 
given as the time when a declaration to that effect was made 
by the States- General, but this was a declaration that they 
were subjects of Holland so far as their right to trade in 
Spain was concerned, and not a first declaration so far as 
Holland itself was concerned." As to Holland their right as 
subjects was considered and understood by the petitioners 
as recognized by the authorities, as appears by the petition 
and by another reference in a petition of the Jews in New 
Amsterdam made in 1657, to be set out later, when a question 
arose as to the granting to one of them of a burgher certifi- 
cate, the Jews in their petition stating that the same was 
allowed in Amsterdam. 

The shareholders of the Dutch West India Company were 
divided into two classes, chief shareholders (Hooftparticipan- 
ten) and minor shareholders {minder participanien) . 

The names of the Jewish chief shareholders referred to in 
the petition, and which were no doubt among those subscribed 
to it, are now known, though not heretofore appearing. 
Those for 1654 and 1655 are not accessible. A list of the ' 
shareholders of the Amsterdam Chamber for 1656 and 1658, 
however, which probably contains the same names as would 
be found in one for 1655 or 1654, can be given, as also a list 
fo:^>''later year, 1671. These names here appear now for the 

^^ 

"H. J. Koenen, Oeschiedenis der Jdden in Ntderland, Utrecht, 
1843, pp. 151 et seq., and authorities cited by him; and also The 
Jewish Encyclopedia, title Netherland, IX, p. 229. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 15 

first time in print, and are given as found in the Dutch MS. 
They are as follows : 

For 1656, November : Abram Isaac Perera, Andres Cristof. 
Nunes, Abrara Isaac Bueno, Bento Osorio, Josep d'Acosta, 
Louys Rodrigues de Sousa, Ferdinando dias de Britto. 

For 1658, 26 April: Abra. en Ysaac Pereira, Andr. Cris- 
toffel Nuimes, Abr. & Isaacq Bueno, Bentto Osorio, Fer- 
nando dias de Britto, Josep dacosta, Symon & Louys de Sousa, 
Louys Eodrigues de Sousa. 

A further list of April, 1658, gives the following additional 
names: Francisco Vaz de Crasto, Francisco lopo Henriques, 
Balth'r Alvares Naugera, Josepho de los Bios, Ruij Gommes 
Frontiera, Aron Chamis Vaz, Dionis Jennis, Diego Vaz de 
Sousa, 

The foregoing names are indicated as Jewish by a different 
style of writing than the other names in the lists, the 1656 list 
having the word " Jooden " or " Joode " opposite the names 
of Perera, Nunnes, Bueno and Osorio, and a later list in 1671 
mentioning some of the other names as those of Jews. 

For 1671, March, the following names occur under the 
heading of " Hebreen," or " Hebrews " : Abraham & Isaac 
Perera, Simon & Louis Eodrigues de Souza, Aron Chamiz 
Vaz, Jacob de Pinto, Jeronimo Nunes da Costa, Jacomo & 
Fernando Ozorio, Abraham Cohen." 

In the lists mentioned, that of 1656 contains 167 names, 
the first list of 1658, 169 names, and the further list of the 
same year, containing other names than those of the first 
list, 278 names. The list of 1671 contains 192 names. The 
proportion of the Jewish names to the whole in each of these 

" A confirmation of some of these names as Jewish appears 
in an article by E. N. Adler, in Transactions of the Jewish His- 
torical Society of England, IV, p. 226, entitled " The Jews of Am- 
sterdam in 1655 " [December]. Of the above the following appear 
there: David Ossorio, alias Bento Osorio, Abraham Isaac Perera, 
Andres Christoual Nunes. 



16 American Jewish Historical Society. 

lists can therefore be readily judged. The 1656 list is in 
the handwriting of Bontemantel, the others being in an en- 
grosser's hand and each with some notation b}^ Bontemantel. 
All were with the two new documents already quoted. 

Joseph d'Acosta, whose name appears as one of the prin- 
cipal shareholders, is no doubt identical with the one of that 
name who came to New Amsterdam apparently in August, 
1655, when he appears for the first time in the records in a 
suit against the skipper of the Spotted Cow for damages to 
his goods." He is undoubtedly the same Joseph d'Acosta of 
Amsterdam who is spoken of as the brother of the celebrated 
Uriel Acosta." He appears in December, 1655, as leasing a 
house in New Amsterdam from Michiel de Carreman for one 
year from July 1, 1656, at an annual rental of 250 guilders. 
The house adjoined that of Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwen- 
hoven. A copy of the lease, which was witnessed by Isaque 
Israel, is given in the Appendix. He apparently was not here 
in July, 1655, when the Jews petitioned for the purchase of 
a burying ground, as will be referred to further on, as his 
name is not signed to that petition. 

The statement in the petition that Jews were allowed by the 
English to go from London to Barbados is in line with two 
references. One of these states : " That about the Year 1654 
there came Six Jew Families into this Kingdom " [Eng- 
land].^* The other is the item in the official records under 
date of April, 1655, relating to a pass issued by Cromwell to 
two Jews to go to Barbados."' 

^* Records of New Amsterdam, I, p. 336. 

" See Koenen, Geschiedenis der Joden in Nederland, supra: The 
Jewish Encyclopedia, IV, p. 292. 

"H. S. Q. Henriques, The Return of the Jews to England, Lon- 
don, 1905, pp. 59, 61, 68, 69, and his The Jews and the English 
Law, Oxford, 1908, pp. 107, 109, 116, 117, and authorities cited. 

"* PuNications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 4, 
p. 223. " Pass for Abr. deMercado, M. D., Hebrew, and David 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 17 

Jews are mentioned as in Barbados early in 165-4, enjoying 
liberty of conscience." 

The reference to the French consenting to the Jews' resid- 
ing and trafficking in Martinique is confirmed by a statement 
in a French account published in 1664, narrating events oc- 
curring to its author in 1654. This statement does not seem 
to have been heretofore referred to, and is given in a note 
below." 

Raphael deMercado, his son, to the Barbadoes, where he has an 
order from his Highness [Cromwell] to exercise his profession," 
April 27, 1655. Quoted from British Calendar of State Papers, 
Domestic Series (1655), XI, p. 583. 

" See A. Biet, Voyage, dc., Paris, 1664, p. 294, referred to in the 
next note. 

" Antoine Biet, Voyage de la France Equinoxiale en VIsland de 
Cayenne, Paris, 1664, p. 303. At Lenox Library, New York. In this 
work Biet gives a detailed account of his travels begun in 1652. 
Under date of April, 1654, he contrasts the treatment that he, a 
Catholic priest, received at the hands of M. Parquet, the Catholic 
Governor at Martinique, with the liberty enjoyed by the Jews 
on the island. He was not permitted to land, and was kept a 
prisoner on the vessel for some time before he could depart for 
Guadaloupe. His language, translated from the French, is as 
follows: 

They [the Jews] were permitted in the Island to Judaise, and 
in the sight of all the world to exercise their religion and observe 
their Sabbath. The Jews have or had at this time their various 
shops at St. Pierre, the town or city of the island where vessels 
come to port. They are the principal merchants, and have found 
so much favor and credit with M. Parquet and his wife, by means 
of their friends, that they have obtained from him the free exer- 
cise of their Sabbath. It is the custom of this island that, on 
Saturday, all the inhabitants who have gotten ready their mer- 
chandize, such as sugar, tobacco, ginger, indigo and like things, 
bring them in on that day into the city to be weighed by the 
public scales established by the Governor of the island. The 
merchandize having been weighed and examined to see that they 
have no imperfections, each person distributes them in order 
among the shops he is accustomed to supply with the merchandizes 
4 



18 American Jewish Historical Society. 

The original of the Stuyvesant extract and of the petition 
of the Jews, as also of the lists of chief shareholders, is to 
he found among the manuscripts relating to the Dutch West 
India Company, in the library of the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia." 

that are needed. As the Jews have the principal shops and are 
the best supplied with merchandize, they would be much occupied 
on that day and this would prevent them from observing their 
Sabbath day. Therefore it is that by means of their friends, as 
I have already said, the day of weighing on Saturday, which is 
like market day, has been transferred to Friday. This was readily 
accorded to them by the Governor, as they have the favor of his 
most powerful friends. So that while I was being persecuted the 
Jews who were not endured in France, having no place of refuge 
there, find one in a French island and Judaise there. For from 
Friday sundown until Saturday at the same hour they rest and 
give no merchandize to any one, but they have no difficulty on 
the holy Sunday and holidays instituted by the Church, and are 
not prevented in giving to every one whatever he requires on 
those days. 

The Revue des Etudes Juives, II, pp. 93 et seq. (1892), in the 
article devoted to the Jews in Martinique, refers to the presence 
of Jews there in 1650, without citing its authority for that date, 
but does not refer to Biet, supra, or speak of the facts mentioned 
by him. See also, as to the settlement of Jews in the island, Jean 
Baptiste du Tertre, Histoire Generate des Ant-Isles, habitees par 
les Frangois, Paris, 1667, I, pp. 528 and 460-5. 

"A note of their whereabouts appeared in the Tear Book of 
the Holland Society of New York for 1892 and 1893, pp. 150-152, 
in a report by Mr. Dingman Versteeg, who had been sent by the 
Holland Society to Philadelphia to examine the Dutch manu- 
scripts of about a thousand pages then recently acquired by the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and to report on their con- 
tents. A personal examination of these manuscripts recently 
made by the present writer yielded the valuable results here 
given. Mr. Versteeg mentioned three documents relating to New 
Netherland as having been in the bundle of papers examined by 
him, as appears from their titles on the cover of the package, but 
not to be found with the others. It may be of interest to note 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 19 

The record of the application of the Jews, in July, 1665, 
already referred to, for the purchase of a burying ground, 
though elsewhere set out,"" is reproduced in the Appendix in 
a revised version. The application was first made in July, 
1655, and again on February 16, 1656, when it was finally 
acted upon. The petition was signed by Abraham de Lucena, 
Salvador Dandrada and Jacob Cohen. The place selected is 
described in the Dutch original as a "little hook of land," 
situate outside of the city, instead of " a spot of ground," as 
heretofore translated. This will help to identify its location 
a little more closely as at the New Bowery and Chatham 
Square."' 

After the receipt of the letter of April 26, 1655, Stuyvesant 
wrote to the Directors under date of October 30, of that year, 
again referring to the Jews. This letter has not heretofore 
been published. Though his exact language is not accessible, 
the substance of it appears in an abstract, also made by Bon- 
temantel, and found in another library, and the part of it 

that these missing documents are in the Lenox Library, and an 
examination of them showed some Jewish items which will be set 
out further on. 

Thanks are due to Dr. John W. Jordan, the librarian of the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, for his courtesy which enabled 
the writer to make the necessary examination and copies. A 
photograph of the two documents quoted and of the lists referred 
to, and of other data obtained at Philadelphia, has been filed with 
the American Jewish Historical Society. 

" See Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 3, pp. 76-77. 

**• See C. P. Daly, The Settlement of the Jews in North America, 
N. Y., 1893, pp. 35-42, for an analysis of the existing evidence fixing 
New Bowery as the location. The ground there was hilly and tri- 
angular and outside of the city, and the designation of " a little 
hook of land " adds to the data towards an identification. The loss 
of many records in the Register's office and elsewhere precludes an 
absolute proof. 



20 American Jewish Historical Society. 

relating to the Jews is also here given, for the first time. 
The reference reads as follows : 

To give liberty to the Jews will be very detrimental there, be- 
cause the Christians there will not be able at the same time to 
do business. Giving them liberty, we cannot refuse the Lutherans 
and Papists.=» 

That Stuyvesant wrote more at length on this subject in 
this letter is indicated by abstracts of published letters, found 
among the MSS. in Philadelphia." 

In line with Stuyvesant's letter is a statement appearing 
in a letter from the Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory in 
New Netherlands dated May 26, 1656.*" 

Remarking that the Lutherans must have abandoned their 
intention of procuring a minister of their persuasion, they say : 

Our Rev. Classis indeed looked upon this matter as an affair 
of great importance, for the Menonists and English Independents, 
of whom there is said to be not a few there, might have been 
led to undertake the same thing in their turn, and would prob- 
ably have attempted to introduce public gatherings. In fact we 
are informed that even the Jews have made request of the Hon- 
orable Governor and have also attempted in that country to erect 
a synagogue for the exercise of their blasphemous religion. 

^The Dutch reads: 

De jootsche vryheyt seer schadelyck aldaer te weesen, alsoo 
de Christenen daer tegl. niet connen handelen, ende haer vry- 
icheijt gevende, de Luteriaensche papisten niet sullen connen 
weijgeren. 

'■^ In the library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania is 
an abstract by Hans Bontemantel of the Directors' letter to 
Stuyvesant of April 26, 1655, already quoted from, which he 
heads: " Some notes of the letter written to the Director and 
Council in New Netherland April 26, 1655," and in which the part 
about the Jews is condensed by him to read as follows, as trans- 
lated from the Dutch: 

That the Jews may live, trade and traffic there, pursuant to 
apostilles here given by the Company at their request. 

^ Ecclesiastical Records of New York. I, p. 348. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 21 

Stuyvesant's letter of October 30, 1655, was acknowledged 
by the Directors in Holland on March 13, 1656, and it is 
deemed well to reprint here, in a revised translation, the part 
of the reply relating to the Jews, about whom they wrote : 

The consent given to the Jews to go to New Netherland and there 
to enjoy the same liberty that is granted them in this country was 
extended with respect to civil and political liberties, without the 
said Jews becoming thereby entitled to a license to exercise and 
carry on their religion in synagogues or gatherings. So long, there- 
fore, as no request is presented to you to allow such a free exercise 
of religion, any consideration relative thereto is too premature, 
and when later something shall be presented about it you will be 
doing well to refer the matter to us in order to await thereon the 
necessary orders." 

This letter was no doubt received some time in May, 1656, 
and Stuyvesant wrote in reply under date of June 10 of the 
same year. This reply also has not heretofore appeared, and 
the part of it relating to the Jews is also here given for the 
first time. Like the previous letter, it is in Bontemantel's 
handwriting. The text is probably complete, with the ex- 
ception of a few connectives. It reads, as translated from the 
Dutch : 

Considering the Jewish nation with regard to trade, they are 
not hindered, but trade with the same privilege and freedom as 
other inhabitants. Also, they have many times requested of us 
the free and public exercise of their abominable religion, but 
this cannot yet be accorded to them. What they may be able to 
obtain from your Honors time will tell.^ 

^N. Y. Col. MSS., Vol. XII, p. 36, and Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of 
N. Y., XIV, p. 34. 

'^ The Dutch reads as follows : 

Considerende de joodsche natie int stuck van de negotie 
werden sij niet belet, maer handelen daer in de privilegle en de 
vrydomme als andere inwoonders oock de vrye en publique ex- 
ercitie van haer abominable godsdienst hebben sij ons meermaels 
versocht maer noch niet connen condecendeeren. watse bij V. E. 
sullen connen optineeren leert den tijt. 



22 American Jewish Historical Society. 

An abstract of the whole letter, as well as of the Stuyvesant 
letter of October 30, 1655, is to be found among the Dutch 
manuscripts relating to New Netherland, at the Lenox 
Library, in New York." 

The reference to the Lutherans in the letter of October 30 
is interesting as indicating that it was owing to some extent 
to the presence of the Jews in New Amsterdam and their re- 
quests for religious liberty that similar privileges in matters 
of conscience were demanded by the Lutherans there. These 
do not seem to have been granted the latter during Stuyve- 
sant's administration, except possibly in 1663," and probably 
the Lutherans were only first authorized to have separate 
church gatherings in New York during the first English 
occupation, under the Duke's laws.* 

*" These manuscripts, with others relating to Stuyvesant's ad- 
ministration and other matters of the Dutch West India Com- 
pany, were acquired by the Lenox Library in 1894 at the sale 
of the library of the late Dr. George H. Moore, former librarian 
of the New York Historical Society. Judging from the writing 
in them they formed part of the same collection acquired a few 
years previously by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, al- 
ready quoted from, and supply some of the missing documents in 
that collection. Both of these collections ought to be published 
in translated form, as they contain valuable historical material 
relating to New Netherland and the settlements on the Delaware, 
and also in relation to the Dutch in Brazil. Whatever relates 
to the Jews in them has been excerpted by the writer, but not 
all has yet been published. For a history of the Moore MSS. see 
W. R. Benjamin's The Collector, Vol. V, pp. 19-21 (1891) and J. G. 
Wilson's Memorial History of New York, I, p. 162, note 1. It 
should also be here mentioned that a further collection of Dutch 
material relating to New Netherland and Brazil is to be found 
in the Library of Congress, containing Jewish items, about Brazil 
only, and that the New York Historical Society also possesses 
some manuscripts in Dutch relating to New Netherland. 

" See Jonathan Greenleaf, History of the Churches, etc., of the 
City of New York, N. Y., 1846, p. 52. 

^ See Henry E. Jacobs, History of the Evangelical Lutheran 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 23 

If the Lutherans were not authorized to have a separate 
church gathering during Stuyvesant's administration, we can 
assume that the Jews were not allowed to hold religious ser- 
vices except as authorized by the Directors' letter quoted. 
The following remarks by the Directors to Stuyvesant may 
possibly have been what was meant by Greenleaf in his work, 
referred to in a foot note, in which he spoke of the establish- 
ment of a Lutheran church in New Amsterdam in 1663. If 
Jews in any number were at that time there, of which there 
is little evidence, they also were no doubt included in the 
observation. Under date of April 16, 1663, the Directors, 
referring to the banishment of John Bowne, a Quaker, from 
the province, wrote to Stuyvesant: 

Although we heartily desire that these and other sectarians 
remain away from there, yet as they do not, we doubt very much 
whether we can proceed against them rigorously without dimin- 
ishing the population and stopping immigration which must be 
favored at a so tender stage of the country's existence. You 
may therefore shut your eyes, at least not force people's con- 
sciences, but allow every one to have his own belief, as long 
as he behaves quietly and legally, gives no offense to his neigh- 
bors and does not oppose the government. As the government of 
this City has always practiced this moderation and has often 
had a considerable influx of people, we do not doubt that your 
Province too would be benefited by it.** 

The tolerance of the Dutch in New Amsterdam towards the 
Jews in matters of religion before this, or in 1658, is shown 
by the fact that the observance by a Jew of his Sabbath was 
recognized by the authorities as a good reason for failure to 

Church in America, N. Y., 1893, p. 56. After the Dutch recaptured 
New York the Lutherans in 1673 were authorized to have a sepa- 
rate gathering at Albany. See Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., 
II, p. 617. 

* See Ecclesiastical Records of N. Y., I, p. 530, citing Docs. rel. 
to Col. Hist, of N. Y., XIV, p. 526. See also Manual of the Re- 
formed Church in America, by Rev. E. T. Corwin, N. Y., 1902, pp. 
35-36, for a different translation from the Dutch. 



24 American Jewish Historical Society. 

attend court when summoned on that day to appear at a 
later day. This is seen in a record in the court minutes of 
two eases brought in June, 1658, against Jacob Barsimson in 
which the entry reads : " Though defendant is absent yet no 
default is entered against him as he was summoned on his 
Sabbath." What the cases related to is not noted, and no 
further entry in relation to them appears in the records.*' 
This ruling probably followed the law of Holland, and is 
interesting in tracing the origin of our present similar law. 
Shortly after Stuyvesant's letter of October 30, 1655 was 
written, Jacob Barsimson and Asser Levy requested permis- 
sion to keep guard instead of paying a tax for the privilege 
imposed upon the Jews as a compulsory substitute for not 
being permitted to keep such guard, in accordance with an 
ordinance just previously passed, a copy of which taken from 
the printed records, with a correction in the translation of the 
old Dutch word " disgonste," a variation of " disgunste," 
heretofore translated as "disgust" instead of "disinclination," 
is printed in the note.'' 

*' Records of Neio Amsterdam, II, pp. 396, 397. 

" See Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., XII, p. 96. 

Resolution to exempt the Jews from military seryice, 28th of 
August, 1655. 

The Captains and oflBcers of the trainbands of this city having 
asked the Director General and Council whether the Jewish people 
who reside in this city, should also train and mount guard with 
the citizens' bands, this was taken into consideration and delib- 
erated upon; first the disinclination and unwillingness of these 
trainbands to be fellow-soldiers with the aforesaid nation and 
to be on guard with them in the same guard house, and on the 
other side, that the said nation was not admitted or counted 
among the citizens, as regards trainbands or common citizens' 
guards, neither in the illustrious City of Amsterdam nor (to our 
knowledge) in any city in Netherland; but in order that the said 
nation may honestly be taxed for their freedom in that respect. 
It is directed by the Director General and Council, to prevent 
further discontent, that the aforesaid nation shall, according to 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 25 

The petition and the action of the Directors and Council 
on Barsimson and Levy's petition have usually been com- 
mented on from the calendared abstract, which is misleading 
and indicates that they made the demand as an assertion of 
a right and were curtly refused and told " to go elsewhere if 
they liked." The actual record gives a different impression 
of why the application was made and of the action thereon. 
The following is a translation of the Dutch original, not 
heretofore printed, found in Vol. VI of N. Y. Colonial MSS., 
p. 147, at the N. Y. State Librar>^ at Albany. 

5 November [1655]. 

Jacob Barsimson and Asser Levy request to be permitted to 
keep guard with other burghers, or be free from the tax which 
others of their nation pay, as they must earn their living by 
manual labor. 

After a vote, the answer was given: Director General and 
Council persist in the resolution passed, yet as the petitioners 
are of opinion that the result of this will be injurious to them, 
consent is hereby given to them to depart whenever and whither 
it pleases them. Dated as above. 

That Levy was permitted to keep guard after this appears 
from a later record in April, 1657, which will be quoted further 
on, in which he recited the fact that he kept such guard. 

On October 11, 1655, the Director and Council ordered 
that for the purpose of repairing and strengthening the outer 

the usages of the renowned City of Amsterdam, remain exempt 
from the general training and guard duty, on condition that each 
male person over 16 and under 60 years contribute for the afore- 
said freedom towards the relief of the general municipal taxes 
65 stivers every month, and the military council of the citizens 
is hereby authorized and charged to carry this into effect until 
our further orders, and to collect, pursuant to the above, the 
aforesaid contribution once in every month, and in case of refusal 
to collect it by legal process. Thus done in Council at Fort Am- 
sterdam, on the day as above. 

Signed: P. Stuyvesant, Nicasius de Sille, Cornells van Tien- 
hoven. 



26 American Jewish Historical Society. 

works of the city so as to secure the inhabitants against at- 
tack by the Indians, a demand should be made of the burgh- 
ers and others for a voluntary subscription and contribution, 
each according to his means, and in case of refusal the Burgo- 
masters were authorized to assess such and to exact a reason- 
able contribution and to levy execution therefor. Pursuant 
to this order, the following named Jews appear in the record, 
under date of October 12, 1655, as "voluntarily taxed" for 
the following amounts set opposite their names : Abraham 
de Lucena, Joseph d'Acosta, Salvador Dandrada, Jacob Cohen 
Henriques, David de Ferera, each 100 guilders, and Jacob 
Barsimson and Asser Levy, 6 guilders each. Stuyvesant and 
four skippers of trading vessels are set down for 150 guilders 
each, and five of the leading city oflficials and three wealthy 
burghers are down for 100 guilders each. The rest of the in- 
habitants taxed have sums ranging from 80 guilders down to 
4 affixed to their names. The total number of persons taxed 
was 210, for a total sum of 6,305 guilders. The assessment 
of the seven Jews was thus fixed at about one-twelfth of the 
whole amount, while their proportion to the number of people 
taxed was one-thirtieth.'"' 

Though thus called on to contribute out of proportion to 
their relation to the rest of the community, the Jews did not 
complain of the amount of the tax imposed upon them, but 
questioned its justice inasmuch as they were not permitted 
to trade, like other burghers, to the South Eiver and elsewhere, 
notwithstanding the permission granted to them by the Di- 
rectors in Holland. This fact, not heretofore noted, appears 
from a petition dated several months later, which will shortly 
be noted. 

"Records of New Amsterdam, I, p. 371 and pp. 367-375. Cf. 
Daly's Settlement of the Jews in North America, supra, p. 19, which, 
probably through a printer's error, gives the figures for the Jews as 
1000 guilders each. A note, however, by Mr. Kohler, the editor, 
gives the correct amount in American money, as taken from Valen- 
tine's History of the City of New York, pp. 315-318. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 27 

On Xovember 29, 1655, they petitioned the Director and 
Council to consent to their trading to the South River, Fort 
Orange and other places. A copy of this petition newly trans- 
lated from the Dutch original is here reproduced. The voting 
upon the petition is not given here in extenso, but is condensed 
from the printed record. That record omits the apostille 
upon the petition. This is added here, after the votes. 

29 November, 1655. 
To the Honorable Director General and Council of New Nether- 
land: 
With due reverence, Abraham deLucena, Salvador Dandrada 
and Jacob Cohen, for themselves and in the name of others of the 
Jewish nation, residing in this City, show how that under date 
of the 15th of February, 1655, the Honorable Lords Directors of 
the Chartered West India Company, Masters and Patrons of this 
Province, gave permission and consent to the petitioners, like the 
other inhabitants, to travel, reside and trade here, and enjoy 
the same liberties, as appears by the document here annexed. 
They therefore respectfully request that your Honorable Wor- 
ships will not prevent or hinder them herein, but will allow and 
consent that, pursuant to the consent obtained by them, they may, 
with other inhabitants of this province, travel and trade on the 
South River of New Netherland, at Fort Orange and other places 
situate within the jurisdiction of this Government of New Nether- 
land. Which doing, etc., the undersigned shall remain your Hon- 
orable Worships' 

Humble Servants: 
Was signed, Abraham deLucejta, 

Salvadob Dandeada, 
Jacob Cohen. 

The above request having been read to the meeting of the 
Director General and Council, it was resolved that each of the 
members of the Council shall give his opinion as to what apostille 
shall be placed thereon. 

Here follow the opinions of the various members. Stuyvesant 
voted that the petition be denied for weighty reasons. LaMon- 
tagne gave a similar opinion. Nicasius deSille said that he did 
not like to act contrary to the order of the Lords Directors, but 
that as at present the Jews have put on board ship goods for the 
South River permission might be given to them, and further 
orders be awaited in answer to the last letter sent to the Lords 



28 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Directors. Cornelis van Tienhoven was of the opinion that it 
would be injurious to the community and the population of the 
said places to grant the petition of the Jews, and that it should 
be denied for the coming winter, and ample report made thereon 
to the Lords Directors, but that for this time a young man of 
the nation be allowed to go to the South Rirer with some goods, 
without thereby establishing a precedent. 

Apostille granted upon the above request of the Jews: For 
weighty reasons, this request, made in such general terms, is de- 
clined; yet having been informed that suppliants have already ship- 
ped some goods, they are for the time being allowed to send one or 
two persons to the South River in order to dispose of the same, 
which being done they are to return hither. Done as above.'^ 

The names of the two Jews who had been thus authorized 
to go to the South Eiver are Isaac Israel and Benjamin Car- 
doso, who are noted as there under date of December 29, 
1655." 

» See N. Y. Col. M88.. Vol. VI, p. 177, and Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, 
of N. Y., XII, pp. 117, 118. 

** See Max J. Kohler, in C. P. Daly's Settlement of the Jews 
in North America, supra, note 18, p. 22, and pp. 151, 152, citing 
Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., XII, p. 136. Isaac Israel is men- 
tioned as a witness to the lease to Joseph d'Acosta from Michiel 
de Carreman, already referred to, dated in December, 1655. 
The opinion expressed in the article by Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach, 
in Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 5, 
pp. 194-5, that Israel was not a Jew because he was a member of 
the High Council of the West India Company's settlement on the 
South River in 1663, as shown in Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., 
XII, pp. 447, 450, and because the letter of the Directors to Stuy- 
vesant of June 14, 1656, which will be set out, was supposed to 
state that the Jews should not be permitted to hold civil office in 
the colony, is not now to be regarded as well founded in view 
of a correction, herein made, of the translation of that letter 
showing that no such prohibition was contained in it. Israel 
also appears in 1656 in the Records of New Amsterdam, II, p. 80, 
as a witness in a court proceeding mentioning Abraham de Lucena 
and Jacob Barsimson. An Abraham Israel and a David Israel 
are noted as among the Jewish arrivals in New Amsterdam in 
September, 1654, and were probably related to Isaac. See Rec. 
of N. A., I, pp. 240, 241, and in Appendix. 



Early History of the Jews in, New York — Oppenheim. 29 

Joseph d'Acosta was also given a permit on March 25, 
1656, to send goods to the South River.'* 

The following document relating to the attempted purchase 
of a house by Salvador Dandrada has not heretofore been 
printed in full though referred to from the calendared note 
of its contents. 

23 December [1655]. 

Copy. 
To the Honorable Worshipful Director General and High Coun- 
cillors of New Netherland: 

Salvador Dandradj, Jewish merchant here in this City, makes 
known, with submissive reverence, how that according to the 
authorization granted by the Honorable Lords Directors of the 
West India Company, Amsterdam Chamber, in Holland, to the 
Jewish nation, your petitioner has been conducting his business 
and trading here in this country, together with other merchants, 
and since his residence here has for this purpose rented and in- 
habited a house, and finally the said house and appurtenances 
were knocked down to him at a public sale by the secretary of 
the Noble Worships, held on the 14th of this month of December, 
and he has, pursuant to the same, come into the ownership thereof, 
according to the conditions under which the said house and 
appurtenances had been knocked down, an authentic copy of 
which is annexed; 

And whereas your petitioner would like to enjoy his right to 
the same and to pay the purchase price stipulated, at the respec- 
tive dates of maturity, he therefore submissively petitions that 
your Honorable Worships be pleased to permit and allow him so 
to do, expecting a favorable apostille regarding the same. 

Will remain your Honorable Worships' Subject. 

Was signed, 

Salvador Dandbadj. 

Dated, Amsterdam in New Netherland, December 17, 1655. 

^See Cal, N. Y. Hist. MSS., Dutch, p. 163, citing N. Y. Col. 
MSS., Vol. VI, p. 340, which reads: 

25 March, Saturday [1656]. 

Received the petition of Joseph d'Acosta requesting to be per- 
mitted to send some goods to the South River. After a vote it 
was apostilled: Let it be done as petitioned. Dated as above. 



30 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Done at a meeting on the above date.'* 

Shortly after came a petition by the seller, dated January 
1^, 1656, askmg the Director and Council to pay him the 
purchase price of 1860 guilders because of their refusal to 
permit a transfer to Dandrada. This has heretofore been 
cited from the calendared note. The full record is dven 
below, m a note." ^ 

„ . Jan. 15, 1656. 

T^^Z'^'V^^ ?^ ''"""^'^ °^ "^^""^^ C^^y requesting that the 
Director General and Council be pleased to consent that he make 
a conveyance and transfer to Salvador Dandrada. Jewish mercha^ 

for iseo^ T"" "^''' '^ ''^ '"'' ^"^'^^"^^ ^' P"^^'^ -action 
for 1860 guilders, or that the Director General and Council be 
Pleased to take possession of the same and pay for the same the 
promised purchase money; ^^^ 

It was voted to make the following apostille- 

iJt^VTTZ '' '"^''""^ ^° '^" "^^'"^^ ^^'^^ December 23d 
ITLT .1!^ the petition of the said Jew Salvador Dandrada. 
regarding this. Dated as above. 

Following this the Jews again petitioned Stuyvesant and 
the Council on March 14, 1656, first reciting what action had 
previously been taken upon their applications. Then, after 
referring to a demand that had been made upon them for the 
payment of the tax for the fortifications, they again requested 
permission to trade, like other burghers, at various places, 
and to own real estate. The following is a translation of their 
petition and of the action thereon by the Director and Council 
who stated that the Jews were counted and included among 
the inhabitants of the city whose persons and property were 
to be protected through the tax. The calendared note, from 

" See N. T. Col. MS 8., Vol. VI. pp. 197-8. 
"N. T. Col. MSS., Vol. VI. p. 218. 



I 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 31 

which alone this record has heretofore been cited, gives no 
reference to several important details. 

14 March [1656]. 

Copy. 
To the Honorable Director General and Council of New Nether- 
lands. 

The undersigned suppliants remonstrate with due reverence to 
your Noble Honorable Lords that for themselves, as also in the 
name of the other Jews residing in this Province, they on the 
29th of November last past exhibited to your Noble Honorable 
Lordships a certain Order [Acte] of the Honorable Lords Direc- 
tors of the Chartered West India Company, dated February 15, 
1655, whereby permission and consent was given them, with other 
inhabitants, to travel, live and traffic here and to enjoy the same 
liberty, and following which they humbly requested that your 
Noble Honorable Lordships should be pleased not to hinder them 
but to permit and consent that they, like other inhabitants of 
this Province, may travel and trade to and upon the South River, 
Fort Orange and other places within the jurisdiction of this Gov- 
ernment of New Netherland. Regarding which your Noble Hon- 
orable Worships were then pleased to apostille: For weighty 
reasons this request, made in such general terms, is declined; 
yet having been informed that the suppliants have already shipped 
some goods they are for the time being allowed to send one or 
two persons to the South River in order to dispose of the same, 
which being done they are to return hither. Also your Noble 
Honors were pleased, under date of December 23d following, to 
refuse the conveyance of a certain house and lot bid in by Sal- 
vador Dandrada at public auction, and as a consequence to forbid 
and annul the purchase, so that the said house was again offered 
for public sale anew on the 20th of January following, and sold 
to another. And whereas the Honorable Magistrates of this city 
have been pleased to demand, through their secretary and court 
messenger, of the undersigned suppliants, individually, the sum 
of one hundred guilders, towards the payment for the Works 
[Wercken] of this city, amounting alone for the undersigned, your 
Worships' suppliants, to the sum of f500, aside from what the 
others of their nation have been ordered to contribute. There- 
fore your suppliants once more humbly request hereby that your 
Honors permit them if, like other burghers, they must and shall 
contribute, to enjoy the same liberty allowed to other burghers, 



3^ American Jewish Historical Society. 

as well in trading to all places within the jurisdiction of this 
Government as in the purchase of real estate, especially as this 
has already been consented to and permitted by the Honorable 
Lords Directors, as can be seen by the aforesaid Order shown to 
your Honors on November 29th. Then they are willing and 
ready, with other burghers and inhabitants, to contribute accord- 
ing to their means. Which doing, etc. 
Below stood: 

Your Worships' Humble Servants: 
Was signed: 

Abraham de Lucena, Jacob Cohen Henricque, Salvador 
Dandrada, Joseph d'Acosta, David Frera. 

The above request being read, the same, after consultation, was 
disposed of with the following apostille: 

The subscription was requested by the Burgomasters and 
Schepens of this city and by the Director General and Council, 
for good reasons, for the benefit of this city and the further 
security of the persons and goods of the inhabitants, among 
whom the suppliants are also counted and included; therefor 
it is necessary that they, together with others, shall assist in 
bearing the burden occasioned thereby. In regard to the Order 
of the Lords Directors mentioned and exhibited, the Director 
General and Council are of opinion that pursuant to the same 
the Jewish Nation enjoy such liberty here in the city as the 
Order implies. Regarding the purchase and ownership of real 
estate, it is advised that the broad question be once again put 
to the Lords Directors, and pending the answer the last [request] 
is refused. 

Thus done in our Assembly held at Port Amsterdam, in New 
Netherland. Dated as above. 
Was signed: 

P. Stutvesant, 
NicAsius deSille, 
LaMontaqne.^* 



''N. Y. Col. MSS., Vol. VI, pp. 321-322. Translation, as revised 
for the writer by Mr. Dingman Versteeg, official translator for 
the Holland Society of New York, to whom thanks are also due 
for revising the translations of various other Dutch documents 
herein given. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 33 

The Holland Directors replied to Stuyvesant's question re- 
garding the ownership of real estate by the Jews and their 
trading to South River, in a letter dated at Amsterdam, June 
14, 1656, an imperfect translation of which was printed in 
the official records.** As an important error exists therein it 
is necessary to give a revised version. The statement that 
the Jews were not to be allowed to be employed in any public 
service, as they could not do so in Amsterdam, is not borne 
out by the Dutch original, in which the words used were: 
"sonder nochtans dat de joodtse ofte Portugese natie aldaer 
(gelijck se in dese Stad mede niet en doen) eenige amhachten 
sullen v'mogen op te stellen." These last words mean "al- 
lowed to establish themselves as mechanics," and do not 
mean "to be employed in public service," as given by Mr. 
Femow. As revised, the extract should read: 

We have here seen and learned with displeasure, that your 
Honors, against our apostille of the 15th of February, 1655, 
granted to the Jewish or Portuguese nation at their request, have 
forbidden them to trade at Fort Orange and South River, and also 
the purchase of real estate, which is allowed them here in this 
country without any diCBculty, and we wish that this had not 
occurred but that your Honors had obeyed our orders which you 
must hereafter execute punctually and with more respect. Jews 
or Portuguese people, however, shall not be permitted to estab- 
lish themselves as mechanics (which they are not allowed to do 
in this city), nor allowed to have open retail shops, but they may 
quietly and peacefully carry on their business as heretofore and 
exercise in all quietness their religion within their houses, for 
which end they must without doubt endeavor to build their houses 
close together in a convenient place on one or the other side of 
New Amsterdam — at their choice — as they have done here." 

"Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. T., XIV, p. 351. The letter of 
Stuyvesant of June 10, 1656, already quoted from, was acknowl- 
edged by the Directors on December 19, 1656. No reference to 
Jews appears in the answer. 

*•.¥. r. Col. MS8., Vol. XII, p. 39. Translation. This extract, in 
a different translation than the one officially published, appears 
5 



34 American Jewish Historical Society. 

In connection with the part of this answer relating to retail 
shops, an item in the Records of New Amsterdam (II, p. 63), 
entered before its receipt, under date of March 15, 1656, which 
has not heretofore been noted, becomes important. It has 
reference to the keeping open of such retail shops by the Jews. 
On the proposition made to the Court by some of the Bench 
that some order be concluded for preparing the progress of this 
city in keeping open retail shops, inasmuch as Jews and foreign- 
ers are as much encouraged as a burgher or citizen, it is resolved 
that the same be taken into consideration in full court. 

That after this the Jews were allowed to keep open store 
and sell by retail, notwithstanding the suggestion in the letter 
of June 14, appears from the following further entry in the 
same Records (IT, p. 262), under date of January 8, 1657: 

Divers matters were proposed and decided to be taken into 
deliberation, and with this view a memorandum was made by the 
Honorable Silla: as 

Of the law of citizenship [Burgher recht] : 

Of keeping open store and selling by retail practiced to the 
present time both by Jews and all foreigners. 

What action was taken upon this subject cannot be ascer- 
tained from the extant minutes, as the record for the whole 
year from January 31, 1657, to January 31, 1658, which would 
touch upon the matter of keeping open retail shops, is miss- 
ing." There is a record, however, with regard to the ques- 
tion of citizenship noted above, and this is of importance in 
the history of the Jews in New Amsterdam. 

in E. B. O'Callaghan's Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 
N. Y., 1868. p. 194. There the words " ambachten op te stellen " 
are translated as " to exercise any handicraft." O'Callaghan also 
gives in a note some details about the Jews of New Amsterdam 
taken from the manuscript records. See pp. 192-4. Judge Daly' 
in his Settlement of the Jews in North America, p. 23 quotes 
from O'Callaghan's translation, without, however, citing' his au- 
thority, as also does Mr. Isaac Markens in his Hebrews in America 
N. Y.. 1888. p. 3. In Daly's work, the editor's note gives the official 
printed translation. 
*^ Records of New Amsterdam, II. p. 289, note. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 35 

On April 9, 1657, the Burgomasters and Schepens gave 
notice that those who claimed the great or small burgher 
right, by virtue of gift or favor from the Director-General 
and Council, should communicate their names within eight 
days to the Burgomasters of the city, and that the Burgo- 
masters would sit for eight days at the City Hall, commenc- 
ing April 10, for the purpose of inscribing the names, and 
that those who did not communicate their names within the 
prescribed time would be deprived of the claim of burgher 
right, and consequently not permitted to trade." 

On April 11, 1657, the following entry appears in the 
records : 

Asser Levy, a Jew, appears in Court; requests to be admitted 
a Burgher; claims that such ought not be refused him as he 
keeps watch and ward (tocht en waeht) like other Burghers; 
showing a Burgher certificate from the City of Amsterdam that 
the Jew is Burgher there. Which being deliberated on, it is 
decreed, as before, that it cannot be allowed, and he shall apply 
to the Director General and Council." 

An appeal was then made by the leading Jews in the 
colony to Stuyvesant and the Council for the admittance of 
Levy to the burgher right, and that application therefor by 
other Jews should not be denied. The petition was imme- 

«7d., VII, p. 149. 

*^Id., p. 154. It was probably in pursuance of the same policy 
that the following decision was made by the Burgomasters on the 
application of Jacob Cohen Hendricus, which appears on the same 
page of the minutes, under the same date: 

Jacob Cohen Hendricus, a Jew, appears in the Court of Burgo- 
masters; requests permission to bake and sell bread within this 
City, as other bakers, but with closed door. Which being delib- 
erated on it is decreed as this is directly contrary to the privilege 
granted by the Honorable Director General and Council to the 
Burghery of this city and also against the orders given by the 
Honorable Lords Majores, the petitioner's request cannot b© 
granted. 



36 



American Jewish Historical Society. 



diately granted. A revised translation of the petition and of 
the order thereon is herewith given." 
Copy. 

^"^ VetTerlLT''^''''' '^' ^*'''*'"* ^'"''°^ "''^ ^^^^'^^^ °^ ^^^ 
We the undersigned, of the Jewish Nation here, make known. 

City Hall of this City and requested of the Noble Burgomasters 
that he might obtain his Burgher certificate, like other Burghers 
which to our great surprise was declined and refused by the Noble 
Burgomasters, and whereas the Worshipful Lords consented under 
date of February 15. 1655. at the request of our Nation, that we 
should enjoy here the same freedom as other inhabitants of New 

Jir^hf ^H Z"^'";:/' ^^^'^'' ^'°°^ '^^ P«"*^«° ^^^« annexed; 
fin Tv. ^ T ^^*°'' '°^°^' ^° ^^" ^''^ o' Amsterdam In Hol- 
land the Burgher right, and he who asks therefor receives a 
Burgher certificate there, as appears by the Burgher certificate 
hereto annexed; also that our Nation, as long as they have been 
here. have, with others, borne and paid, and still bear, all Burgher 
burdens: We. therefore, reverently request your Noble Worships 

to notify the Noble Burgomasters that they should permit us. like 
other Burghers, to enjoy the Burgher right, and for this pur- 
^hI ?>,^V *^' ^"^to^ary Burgher certificate, in conformity 
with the order of the Worshipful Lords Directors above men- 

flvnrth, "" Hn''^' ^""^'""^ ^'"'' ''^^^^ Worships' gracious and 
favorable apostille. we shall remain, as heretofore. 
(Below stood) 
Yours Noble Worships' Humble Servants. 
Sai^vadob Dandbada, 
Jacob Cohen Henbicques. 
Abbaham deLucena, 
Joseph d'Acosta. 
On the above petition is apostllled- 

The Burgomasters of this City are hereby authorized and at 
the same time charged to admit the petitioners herein and their 
Nation to the Burghership, in due form. Dated as above. 

P. Stutvesant, 
^ NicAsius deShxe, 

Dated. April 20, 1657. Pieteb Tonneman. 

-N. r. col. M88., Vol. Vin. p. 531. Cf. Publications of the 
American Jewish Historical Society, No. 6, p. 87. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenheim. 37 

This seems to be the last record of imited action by the 
Jews in New Amsterdam during Stuyvesant's administration. 
Events in Holland a few months later, whereby the Jews in 
Europe were offered a greater freedom than was obtainable 
by those in New Netherland, led to an emigration in large 
numbers to a colony on the Pomeroon River in the Essequibo 
district in Western Guiana, then belonging to the Dutch, the 
existence of which was until recently unnoted by any writer 
treating of the Jews. A full account of this was given by 
the writer in Nos. 16 and 17 of the Publications of the 
American Jewish Historical Society. The liberties there 
granted were as full as the Jews desired, enabling them to 
exercise their religion freely and openly, to build synagogues 
and schools, and to take part in public deliberations concerning 
the welfare of the community, engage in any occupation de- 
sired by them, to have full burgher rights and to exercise 
judicial functions among themselves. The establishment of 
that colony, or rather the efforts through books and pam- 
phlets to induce emigration thither, is said by G. M. Asher, in 
his Bibliographical and Historical Essay on the Dutch Books 
and Pamphlets relating to New Netherland, p. 12, to have 
" contributed its share to preventing the colonization " of 
Xew Netherland. 

Here it is thought proper to present some new matter and 
views with regard to the first arrival of the Jews in New 
Amsterdam. 

In September, 1654, twenty-three Jews arrived on the St. 
Charles, not the St. Catarine, as the name is frequently given. 
This has usually been given as that of a party flying from the 
Portuguese in Brazil after having been despoiled of all their 
possessions, taking refuge on the first vessel and coming to 
New Amsterdam. The fact appears, however, that on the 
capitulation of Recife, the capital of Dutch Brazil, in the 
latter part of January, 1654, all the Dutch subjects including 



38 American Jewish Historical Society. 

the Jews were granted an amnesty and three months' time 
within which to settle up their affairs, sell their goods or take 
them along and leave the country, or remain as Portuguese 
subjects, or subject to the regulations of the country relating 
to foreigners. Vessels for their accommodation were promised 
by Francisco Barreto, the commanding general of the Portu- 
guese forces, and every facility was afforded them for a safe 
journey home. This appears in the capitulation agreement 
which is dated January 25, 1654. The language given by 
Southey, in his History of Brazil, quoted by later writers, 
that the Portuguese promised the Jews « an amnesty in all 
wherein they could promise it," leaving, as remarked by 
Southey and those later writers, " an ominous latitude for 
intolerance," does not appear in the agreement in connection 
with the Jews or any one else, and was used by Southey as 
his interpretation of the meaning of the clause that all for- 
eigners remaining should be subject to the laws relating to 
foreigners. The second clause, which is the only one specifi- 
cally mentioning the Jews, does not contain the words " an 
amnesty in all wherein they could promise it." It is given 
in a note below." 

«See Accoord van Brasilien Mede van't Recif, Mauritis-Stadt, 
ende de omleggende Forten van Brasil. t' Amsterdam 1654 At 
Lenox Library. See also L. Aitzema, Saken van Staet en Oorlogh 
etc., 'sGraven-Haghe. 1669, Vol. Ill, p. 1121, for a copy. The Eng- 
lish of the second provision, which is the only one specifically 
mentioning Jews, though all the provisions after that, speaking 
of Dutch vassals, included them, is as follows: 

" n. That in this Agreement there shall be included all nations 
of whatever quality or religion they may be, who are all hereby 
pardoned for having been in rebellion against the Crown of Portu- 
gal, consenting that the same shall likewise apply to all the Jews 
who are in Recife and Maurits-Stadt." 

The agreement further provided that various other Dutch pos- 
sessions adjacent to Recife should be included, among them the 
island of Itamarica or Tamarca, where Jews are known to have 
resided about this time. See Publications of the American Jewish 
Historical Society, No. 3, pp. 16, 117. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorJc — Oppenheim. 39 

A Jewish account of the departure of the Jews from Brazil 
and of the arrival of one of the vessels in New Holland, mean- 
ing N'ew Amsterdam, in 1654, is here given, for the first time. 
Although referred to by various later writers, it is not set 
out by them in full, nor do they mention certain details in 
their reference. Its connection with the St. Charles holding 
the twenty-three Jews who came to Manhattan in September, 
1654, has not heretofore been pointed out.** 

This account appeared in HaMeaseph, a Jewish publication, 
for the year 1784, p. 17, and was prepared by David Franco 
Mendes, a well known Jewish writer, in giving a biographical 
sketch of Eabbi Moses Eaphael de Aguilar, who had gone to 
Brazil with Eabbi Isaac Aboab, in 1642. 

And it came to pass, in the year 5414 [1654] that the Portu- 
guese came back, and from the Hollanders took their lands by 
force. And God had compassion on his people, and gave it favor 
and grace in the eyes of the mighty ruler Barreto, who should be 
favorably remembered, and he caused it to be proclaimed through- 
out his army that every one of his soldiers should be careful not 
to wrong or persecute any of the children of Israel, and that if 
any should wilfully transgress his command his life would be 
forfeited. And he gave them a specified time within which they 
could sell their houses and goods at an adequate price and in the 
most advantageous manner. And he gave permission to our 
brethren, initiated into the covenant of Abraham (who numbered 
more than six hundred souls) to return to our country here. And 
he commanded that if there were not enough of Hollandish ships 
In the harbor, as many Portuguese ships within his dominion 
should be given them until a sufficient number should be obtained. 
And all our people went down into the sea in sixteen ships, and 
spread sail, and God led them to their destination to this land, 
and they came to us in peace, except one ship which the Spaniards 

*• For a reference to this account, though not giving its details, 
see Jost, Oeschichte der Israeliten, 1500-1815, "VIII, p. 241; Frankel, 
Monatsschrift, for 1863, XII, p. 324; and George A. Kohut, 
In Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 3, 
p. 139, and in Simon Wolf's The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier 
and Citizen, p. 452. 



40 American Jewish Historical Society. 

captured on the high seas. And God caused a savior to arise unto 
them, the captain of a French ship, arrayed for battle, and he 
rescued them from out of the hands of the outlaws who had done 
violence to them and oppressed them, and he conducted them until 
they reached the end of the inhabited earth called New Holland, 
and from there they came here also in peace, into this our camp- 
ing ground. And none of them was missing, praised be God. 

That New Holland in this account meant New Amsterdam 
is indicated by the fact that New Amsterdam is so described 
on a map dated 1667, appearing in Valentine's History of the 
City of New York at page 70, and also as a frontispiece to 
the first volume of the Ecclesiastical Records of New York. 
Other places known as New Holland were Cape Cod, then an 
English settlement, which was unlikely to have been the 
destination of the vessel carrying Dutch or Jewish passen- 
gers, and also Australia, which was a place too remote for a 
ship from the neighborhood of Brazil. 

Though Mendes' account speaks of the vessel as carrying 
Jews it does not absolutely indicate that only Jews were on 
that vessel. Mendes is spoken of as a careful writer, and his 
account was apparently based on the terms of the capitulation 
agreement for the surrender of Eecife, and on other sources, 
then well known, describing the return of the Jews from 
Brazil. It is the first reference we have to the arrival of the 
Jews in New Amsterdam, aside from the original records in 
New York.*' 

" For references to the departure of the Jews from Brazil pur- 
suant to the capitulation agreement and the favorable terms of 
that agreement, as relates to the Jews, see Basnage, Annals des 
Provinces Unies, k la Hague, 1725, I, p. 362; Southey, History of 
Brazil, London, 1817, II, pp. 240-1; P. M. Netscher, Les HoUandais 
au Bresil, Paris, 1835, p. 103; H. J. Koenen, Geschiedenis der 
Joden in Nederland, Utrecht, 1843, p. 282; I. M. Jost, Geschichte 
der Israeliten, 1500-1815, Berlin, 1828, VIII, p. 241; Isaac DaCosta, 
Israel and the Oentiles, London, 1850, p. 449; E. H. Lindo, History 
of the Jews of Spain and Portugal, London, 1848, p. 346. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 41 

Connecting the French vessel mentioned by Mendes as res- 
cuing the Jews from the Spanish pirate, with the vessel 
bringing the twenty-three Jews to New Amsterdam in 1654, 
are two facts which appear partly in the Dutch records in 
New York, only recently (1897) translated as the Records 
of New Amsterdam, and partial extracts from which have 
hitherto been our source of information regarding the first 
arrival of the Jews in New York, and partly in manuscript 
records of New York still unpublished. These two facts are 
first, that the vessel arriving in New Amsterdam with the 
Jews in 1654 was commanded and also owned by a French- 
man, and second, that it was a war vessel, Mendes speaks of 
the captain of a French ship arrayed for battle. 

In the third entry in the Dutch records the name of the 
vessel is so written that it has been read as St. Catrina, or the 
Catarine or Catherine. This word is not so clearly written 
in this third entry as to be unambiguous. It is partly re- 
written. The letter " h " appears above the first " a " and 
comparing this change with a like change made in a further 
record the word appears to have been intended for Cahrel or 
the Dutch of Charles. What clearly appears is that in the 
first record of the name of the vessel -and the mention of Jews 
on it, which has not usually been cited, the name in the origi- 
nal record and also in the recent translation is undoubtedly 
St. Charles.*^ In the second entry the name no longer ap- 
pears, the paper being worn away where it occurred. In an 
agreement by the attorney for the sailors, promising to wait 
for their pay till word came from Holland, a copy of which is 
set out in the Appendix, it appears as St. Cathrie, but not 
Catrine. The name St. Charles also appears in a bill of sale 
of the vessel which is described as belonging to Captain Symon 

*• See Records of New Amsterdam, I, pp. 240, 241, and MS, 
Dutch original in City Clerk's office, New York, and a copy In the 
Appendix. 



42 American Jewish Historical Society. 

ana the bill of sale has anneied to it a schedule of its belon« 
mgs m whjch the vessel is called the St. Ckarles ul2 
bill and schedule it is described as a Frigate" VZ 
sch^^ule the fa.t appears that the St. C/.rf^ed fl M 
guns thus stamping ,,. character as a war vessel or privatee™" 

do w r^T '° "' '''"''''''^ «»°«'^ '^te^ as having to 
Ibrrf . t'^'' '^ ■'^ *^^ P'^^™' ™ April 13, 1656 It 

"B:ri^r ccr-f r/ 'ff- -- 

...... inl6Hasa^^^^^^^ 

The record also shows that when the Jews arrived in 1654 

rZV,! 'T' ^^: ' "^'''^ "^ - *^ Maste of t 
vessel and not as its captam or owner, presented a petition 

Ing to the Old records Fen. t .'""'^' ""mandy. Accord- 

•o Oo.ober,1654,tn„tpef 'c„;?,:ra dfa/r'°'^. '^ "^^'"- 
by Captain Thomas Dand^m-. J^ '''^''"''" '" APrtl.1654, 

the «,. C*ar JLl Ma' "s""^''""- -^o had purchase,. 
Place ,n France. a"d af erwa'd" soldThe' ''^^", "^^^^'^ « -»» 
damle having died, Felle as his „,tl '" '° ^"'"- D^-" 

draft or n,a.e it's ZmTn 'r^^/^rttf h° """" ''■^ 
of City Clerk N Y entifi»rf " » ®- ™'"me in office 

1666." Translation p 97 ' ^°^"' °' ""''"^"y- *<>•. 1651- 

"Trerhere7ay:.''°ThrF^"r^'" *"- *"-"-• ■>• «'• 
captain Symon kuj s cJip^rtlJl^er r^T "^'""^"^ '" 
rigging, as she lies at Preset [Nov 7 iVs^t'.hr "T'"" 
and 5 iron guns, 2 main ^all, t k '• "S''] m the roadstead, 

-passes, 1 red sii. .rrwhrpelrn;;- --'L^ 
''Records of New Amsterdam, II, p. 80. 



I 



Early History of the Jews in New YorJc — Oppenheim. 43 

to the court demanding payment for bringing the Jews in, 
and this petition is described as having been written in 
French." His name is also indicative of a French origin, and 
his being on the war vessel at the time mentioned by Mendes 
strengthens, with the other facts appearing, the conclusion 
that it was the same vessel that was described by Mendes. 

What, by implication, is apparently a corroboration of Men- 
des' reference to the capture of the Dutch vessel by a pirate 
appears in a publication, already cited, narrating events 
occurring during its writer's travels at the period we are con- 
sidering, and referring to the fact that pirates hovered about 
Recife when the Jews left there. This speaks of a pirate at 
Barbados about March or April, 1654, with a barque or vessel 
he had captured from the Dutch near Eecife, and who, with 
his crew, designated as robbers, was ordered to retire from the 
island." 

The Jews having, according to the capitulation agreement, 
three months' time after January 25, 1654 within which to 
leave Brazil, would have had until near May to take their 
departure. The voyage, with its intermediate stoppages 
caused by their capture by the Spanish pirate ship and by 
delays at ports for supplies, could readily have taken until 
the latter part of August or the first part of September. 

Another fact also appears to show that the St. Charles came 
from Brazil, as also did the vessel in Mendes' account. This 
is the presence on board, as appears from the records, of 
Netherlanders who came over with the Jews. Among these 
Netherlanders was Domine Johannes Theodorus Polheymus 
who came from Itamaraca, also known as Tamarca or Tamar- 
ica, an island close to Recife, Brazil, and who is spoken of 
as being on the same ship that brought in the Jews in Sep- 

"/d., I, p. 240, and in Appendix. 

" See A. Biet, Voyage de la France Equinoxiale, etc., supra, pp. 
272-3. This vessel, however, is not suggested as being the one 
referred to by Mendes. 



44 American Jewish Historical Society. 

tember, lesi" This last reference to Polheymus, though 

cts It 1''' ''' "* '"'"'""^ strengthening the con- 

clusions hemn drawn, included in the Appendix for better 
reference in connection with this paper. 

There is a reference to Domine Polheymus, or Polhemus 
cultti "Tf '' l-'-'^«PeUed, having gone through " many diiB- 
culties before reaching New Amsterdam, and an intimation 
hat he was on his way to Holland where his wife was await- 
ng him or who reached there before him on another ship, 
thus mferentially corroborating the account of the piratica 
oipture an is detention with the Jews at some porLn tie 
way The language used m the letter of March 18, 1655 
spea mg „f h is :" Meanwhile God led the Domine from 
Brazil over the Carribean Islands to New Amsterdam." This 
occurs after saying that the church at Midwout on Long 
Island was without a minister and was awaiting one to be 
sent by the Director, from Holland, and shows fhat he did 
not start out from Brazil to come to New Netherland " 

Though the record speaks of the Jews as having been 
brought from the West Indies," this is not conclusive against 
their having come from Brazil which was also known afpart 

Du : T 'fr: ''''' '"^='""»° "' *^ t-nslatl f't 2 
n one „f the court proceedings, under date of September U, 
1054, as Gamonike meant Jamaica, one of the West India 

"Records of New Amsterdam, I, p. 240, and In AnoenrtiT Ti,. 
record says of de ,a Motther "He verbal,; declares that J^e Jth 

"/<!., I, p. 339. ' ■ „, 

" Records of N. A., I, p. 249. 

mXs'^"'"''*'^'"'" "'""''"' "' "'" """"' ■■ PP- "1. 278, 
-Rec. of N. A., I, p. 242, and in Appendix. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 45 

Islands, is not borne out by any reference to such a spelling 
of Jamaica in any of the languages then currently used by 
travellers or writers." Probably what was meant is Tamarica 
or Tamarca. The spelling also appears as Tamarike. 

The account relating to the first arrivals indicates two dif- 
ferent sets of Jews, one that came with de la Motthe and Pol- 
heymus," the latter of whom came from the island of Ta- 
marca, Brazil, where Jews were at that period," and which 
was not far from Eecife, and the other that came with Asser 
Levy and Kicke Nounes," who were part of the number 
brought up by the crew. The court in its decision on the claim 
for transportation treated them all as jointly liable for the 
cost. They were also all regarded later, in 1655, when the 
Burgomasters passed their resolution about their departure, 

"" Exactly where Gamonik^ was does not appear. The nearest 
approximation the writer has been able to find to the name is that 
of a river described as Camonique, which is spoken of as having 
Flemish or Dutch inhabitants along its banks and as flowing 
Into the Surinam River, the town being about twenty-five leagues 
higher up. See A. Biet, Voyage de la France Equinoxiale, supra, 
p. 260. This same place is mentioned in Harris's Voyages, &c., 
London, 1705, II, p. 252, as Kamomioque in 1666. It is possible 
that some Jews were then in that neighborhood, and among these 
were Asser Levy and Ricke Nounes, mentioned in the Records of 
New Amsterdam as among the new arrivals in 1654, and that they 
were taken on board the ship which carried Polhemus and the 
Jews. The region around Surinam was part of Guiana, and is 
described in official Dutch documents as in the West Indies. See 
Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 16, 
p. 183. Jews were in Cayenne, not far from Surinam, about 1656, 
and probably before, and are claimed to have been in Surinam 
from 1650 on when the English took possession. Id., pp. 97-101. 

'" Rec. of New Amsterdam, I, p. 240, and Ecclesiastical Records, 
I, pp. 330, 335. 

'^Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 
3, pp. 16, 117, and du Tertre, Histoire Generate des Ant-Isles, 
supra, I, pp. 460-2. 

'*Rec. of N. A., I, pp. 242, 249, 254. 



46 American Jcj/'iV/i lliitforicaJ Socicfy. 

a? from the Wo^t liulios. tluniijh tlioso ooniinii- in with Vo\- 
hovnnis wore known as coming from Tamaroa in Brazil. 

Thoro cjui hardly bo any doubt also that rolhoymns and 
the Jews stopped at Martinique on their way up to New^ 
Amsterdam. This wti^ one of the Carribean islands, to which 
reference is nuule in the letter of Megapolensis already re- 
ferred to. This may possibly also account for the Jews being 
spoken of as from tlie West Indies. Du Tertre ** speaks of a 
ship from Tamarca with Netherlanders and Jews stopping at 
Martinique after the surrender of Kecife, and also mentions 
several Dutch vessels from Tamarca, which sivms to have boon 
tJie point of departure for vessels, and speaks of frigates with 
Dutdi and Jews coming later from the same place."* 

The Cape 8t. Anthony mentioned in the Records of New 
Anistcrdani as the phuv from which the twenty-three Jews 
were brought by de la Motthe is claimed to have been the 
cape of that name in Cuba. The arguments advanced in 
support of tJiat theory by a writer in an earlier volume of 
these Puhlicationg and before the knowledge of the new datA 
presented herein" are quite plaiisible and possibly consistent 
with the fact, except as otherwise herein pointed out, but are 
ba;?ed to a great extent on the theory that the Jews came from 
or via Jamaica, but without any evidence of their presence 
there as a rci'ognizcd body, in l(i">4. The name Gamonike is 
accepted as that of Jamaica, though this has not been pnncn 
as correct. They are also based on the fact that other records 
near the period in question s^K^ik of Cape St. Anthony in 
Cuba in connivtiou with matters in Xew Amsterdam, and 
on the claim that that cape was so prominent that no other 
cape of the same name c\nild have been meant. It is also 

*' Histoire Ociu^rale. supra, I. pp. 460-2. ''Id. 

"Leon Hiihner. "Whence Came the First Jewish Settlers of 
New York," Puhlications of the American Jewish Historical So- 
ciety, No. 9, pp. 75 et scq. 



Early JJintory of the Jews in Sew York — Oppenheim. 47 

aB8fcrted that Cajm St. Anthony near Bahia could not have 
Ix-en meant, as the Jews, it is urge^J, would not have resided 
there becauKe of the Inquigition. 

Kegarding there argurnentH it rnay \)H said that Cape St. 
Anthony is not ajxMn of in the reward in connection with 
Garnonike or the West Indies?, though one of the further en- 
tries Bpeaks of the crew bringing in the Jews from the West 
Indies, which is only referral to as a general tenn, and may 
have been intended also to include parts of Brazil or the 
region around Guiana, both also known, as shown, as in the 
West Indies. West India islands are not 8jx>ken of in the 
records, and if the Jews came from the cape in Cuba the 
reference would no doubt have been made U) them as from 
that island. The authorities cited in supp^jrt of the the<>ry of 
the Cuban cape generally mention Cuba in connection with 
the caf>e, while no such mention appeanj in the records we are 
considering. Just before the Jews arrived, the Dutch p^^s- 
eessions in Brazil were ver}' much in the public eye in cfjn- 
nection with the struggle with the Portuguese, and a reference 
to Cape St. Anthony near Bahia could very well have been 
understood by the Dutch, in speaking of the Jews known to 
have come from Brazil, as referring to the Brazilian cape. 
This cape is shown prominently on maps of the period, both 
of the whole of South America and also of Brazil." 

The Dutch ha^l attempted to wrest Bahia from the Portu- 
guese and were therefore familiar with the Cape St. Anthony 
near there. It was then one of the prominent points on the 
coast and must have l>een well known at the time to navigators. 

That Jews were in Bahia at this time, notwithstanding the 
existence of the Inquisition, is shown by a reference to them 

••See Caspar Barlaeus, Brazilianische Oeachichte, Cleve, lCo&, 
map facing p. 568; Blaeu's Atlas, Amsterdam, 1G50 and 1658, and 
Joanis Jansonli, Atlas Minor, 1648, and Atku Major, 1657-61, Vol. 
VIII. All at Lenox Library. 



48 American Jewish Historical Society. 

as then there and their joining Aboab and others on the 
departure from Brazil, in 1654." 

The argument, therefore, against the probability of their 
residing in Bahia, or against the probability of their leaving 
that place, in view of the existence there of the Inquisition, is 
not wholly tenable. In addition, it should be noted that, 
under the terms of the capitulation agreement, the Jews were 
promised safe conduct, and even if not theretofore openly 
professing their religion, could acknowledge themselves and 
leave the country, from Bahia or elsewhere. 

Part of Recife was called St. Anthony. There was a fort of 
that name there.'" The word " Recife " in Portuguese means 
" reef." An old writer speaks of the passageway of the Eecife 
of St. Anthony."" Possibly this is what was meant by de la 
Motthe in speaking of Cape St. Anthony. A reef, like a cape, 
is also a projection of land. Jews, as stated, were in Recife. 

Another fact strongly militating against the Cape St. An- 
thony being the one in Cuba, is the charge made for the car- 
riage of the twenty-three people to New Amsterdam. This, 
according to the record, was 2,500 guilders." We have also 
in another record of the same period, already quoted at the 
beginning of this paper, a memorandum of a charge of only 
thirty-six guilders a person for freight and board from Hol- 
land, a much longer distance. The twenty-three included 
women and children, and the charge would naturally be less 
for the children and probably for the women. At the rate of 
thirty-six guilders each, even without a reduction for children, 
the charge would not have amounted to 900 guilders in all, 

" See Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 2, p. 75; Kayserllng, Die Juden in Portugal, p. 296; Rev. Dr. 
Marcus Jastrow, in Young Israel, N. Y., 1871, Vol. I, p. 211. 

•"a See Accoord van Brasilien, supra. 

■"b Pierre Moreau, Histoire des Derniers Troubles du Bresil, 
Paris, 1651, p. 5. At Lenox Library. 

™ Records of New Amsterdam, I, p. 240, and Appendix I. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenheim. 49 

instead of 2,500, a fair charge for the longer voyage from 
Cape St. Anthony in Brazil. The difference would not have 
been charged for the carriage of the goods, as their value, 
judging from the amount realized at the sale, did not, by 
several hundred guilders, equal the amount still due after a 
partial payment of 900 guilders made before arrival. It is 
not against the probabilities that the Spanish pirate's prize 
was taken either to the Cape St. Anthony near Bahia, or was 
captured near Eecife of St. Anthony, and that the Jews were 
at one of these places rescued by the French privateer or frig- 
ate and the contract made for their carriage to New Amster- 
dam, which was known as a Dutch settlement and to which 
they and the Netherlanders with them would naturally have 
desired to go if their rescuer was not prepared to go to Hol- 
land. As the charge would have been an excessive one from 
the Cuban cape, it would no doubt have been urged as a 
defence despite the contract, as being made under duress. 

The printed translation of the letter of Domine Megapo- 
lensis to the Classis of Amsterdam, dated March 18, 1655, 
appearing in the Ecclesiastical Records of New York, speaks 
of the newly arrived Jews being refused assistance by the 
Jewish merchants and that the deaconry was compelled to 
help them. Even as the letter is printed in translated form 
the language is such that a second reading, in the light of 
the facts presented in this paper, gives a different aspect to 
the statements than that which strikes a reader at a first 
glance. This new view is that the help was extended by the 
deaconry to the Jews before the arrival of the few who came 
in the spring, namely, Dandrada, de Ferera and de Lucena, 
and that there were no Jews other than Barsimson here to 
give help when the new-comers arrived. Nowhere does it 
appear that there were many Jews in New Amsterdam before 
the twenty-three arrived. We know of only one, Barsimson. 
Stuyvesant's letter of September 22, 1654, almost proves 



50 American Jewish Historical Society. 

that there were none, and if there had been many and they 
were wealthy we can reasonably assume that from the very 
nature of things the Burgomasters and Schepens would have 
imposed upon them the care of their brethren, or that their 
brethren themselves would, for their own good name, have 
provided means to prevent them from becoming a public 
charge. It was the fear that they would become a charge 
that led to Stuyvesant's protest, acting upon the advice of 
the deaconry, and not alone the fact that they were Jews. 
Coming to New Amsterdam under the circumstances as they 
did, with other N"etherlanders, or practically forced to come 
here, they had a right to expect to be supported, if without 
means, and without many or any of their coreligionists in the 
country, until they could hear from their friends in Holland. 
That they had no one to help them in New Amsterdam is 
shown by the fact that they were given the opportunity soon 
after their arrival to write to Holland for a remittance, and 
that proceedings against them on the claim of the crew for 
transportation was suspended until word could come from 
abroad." As the Jews considered themselves Dutch subjects, 
having been so treated in Brazil and even in Holland whence 
many came, they were entitled to ask for support from the 
authorities in New Amsterdam in the absence of provision by 
their own people. It certainly could not have been expected 
that Barsimson should support twenty-three people during the 
winter, or even a lesser number who may possibly have re- 
mained there at the time, seeing that his own passage to New 
Amsterdam had not been paid for when he left Holland. 
The statement in the letter of Megapolensis that "it would 
have been proper that they should have been supported by 
their own people," as given in the translation, undoubtedly 
refers to the Jews of Holland, who could not have been 
heard from so quickly and who probably did not hear of the 

"Kec. of N. A., I, p. 259, and in Appendix. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorJc — Oppenheim. 51 

arrival until many months later. The petition of the Holland 
Jews, already set out, also shows that they had been helping 
their brethren driven from Brazil, and that, if aware of the 
plight of those in New Amsterdam, they would not have re- 
fused necessary assistance. 

The reference in the printed translation to Megapolensis 
directing the new arrivals to the Jewish merchants and that 
these refused to lend them even a few stivers, is not borne 
out by a comparison with the Dutch original. Through the 
courtesy of Eev. Dr. E. T. Corwin, the editor of the Ecclesi- 
astical Records of New York, herein cited, who, however, 
did not make the translation of this particular letter but 
stated to the writer that he accepted the one made over fifty 
years ago, found by him among the archives of his church, 
the present writer was afforded the opportunity of examining 
at the Sage Library in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where 
the archives of the G^eneral Synod of the Reformed Dutch 
Church in America are kept, the Dutch original of the letter 
of Megapolensis, and found that the vrord translated as 
" merchants " should have been translated " merchant," and 
that the word " they " following and referring thereto should 
have been translated " he." The original is clearly written 
" koopman " and " hij." The error arose through a misread- 
ing. The word " koopman " was originally written " koop- 
lieden," meaning " merchants," and the last part of it, " lie- 
den," the plural form, was struck out and " man," the singu- 
lar, written above, in the same handvn'iting, showing that the 
writer of the letter found he had erroneously written mer- 
chants instead of merchant. The word " hij " or " he " was 
not altered. In other particulars, slight, though unimportant 
variations from the original exist in the translation, and it 
has been deemed well to give in the Appendix a revised ver- 
sion of the parts relating to the Jews, adding a portion of the 
Dutch as a foot note, for purposes of comparison. A photo- 
graph of the whole letter has been filed with the American 



53 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Jewish Historical Society, The new reading therefore makes 
the statement appear that when Megapolensis referred the 
newcomers to the Jewish merchant they said he would not 
lend them a single stiver. There is no statement as to how 
many of the twenty-three were refused, and, as already 
pointed out, Barsimson, apparently the only Jew then in New 
Amsterdam beside the twenty-three, was not in a position 
to help, being himself poor and certainly not with means to 
support twenty-three. Those mentioned as coming in the 
previous summer are referred to simply as coming in order 
to trade and not to reside in the city. Dandrada, de Lucena 
and de Ferera, according to the records, had only arrived about 
the end of February, Joseph d'Acosta and Jacob Cohen Hen- 
riques coming later, and the help of the deaconry had already 
been extended before the arrival of the first three. So that the 
reference to the refusal to lend a stiver could not have been to 
any of those named, and we have no mention of other mer- 
chants in a position to help. We can conclude that there was 
considerable exaggeration in the statement, and that it was 
made for effect to emphasize the charity extended to the Jews 
by the deaconry, the overseers of the poor, during the winter 
months when no other means of assistance was at hand. The 
direction in the letter of the Holland Directors that the Jews 
could live and trade in the new country, provided the poor 
among them should be taken care of by themselves, following 
here also the language of the petitioners, was intended as an 
answer to Stuyvesant's remark as to the fear that the deaconry 
would be obliged to take them under their charge, and was 
not made in view of their outlays for that purpose. It was 
intended to relieve the deaconry' of that burden. How well 
the Jews have observed the condition ever since, all the world 
knows," 

" The writer endeavored to ascertain the whereabouts of the 
deacons' records for 1654 and 1655 showing the payments men- 
tioned in Megapolensis' letter, so as to thus get at the names of 



Early History of the Jews in New York — OppenJieim. 53 

Solomon Pietersen, described as a Jew, is noted in the court 
proceedings at the first hearing in September, 1654, as speak- 
ing for the Jews. In the original record the name appears as 
Pieters, and in further entries also as Pieters and Piers. He 
was apparently among the Jews who came on the St. Charles 
and familiar with the facts in connection with their number 
and pa}Tiients made by them on account of the freight charge. 
He later represented Eicke Nunes in her suit against Asser 
Levy, and also acted as spokesman for the Jews in obtaining 
an extension of time from the sailors on their claim. He does 
not appear again after this, unless he was identical with 
Solomon Pietersen La Chair, the notary, who apparently was 
not a Jew, 

A short sketch of some of the lawsuits and of other mat- 
ters in which the Jews are mentioned in the old records of 
New York, and which have not heretofore been referred to 
or commented upon, will conclude this paper. These records 
show, among other things, the activity of the Jews in the im- 
portation of goods from abroad and in trading in the colony, 
and give point to the reference to their value for those pur- 
poses in a young colony, made by the petitioners for their 
settlement here. 

It will be noticed that the petition of April 20, 1657, relat- 
ing to burgher certificates, being the last petition showing a 
united action by the Jews in the colony, is not signed by 
David de Ferera who had signed a number of the other 
petitions and who was among the first of the merchants 

the Jewish passengers on the St. Charles. An examination for 
this purpose was made on his behalf by Rev. Dr. E. T. Corwin, 
already mentioned (to whom thanks are due for many courtesies), 
of the old records extant among the archives of the Treasurer of 
the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church In America, where such 
records would be, if preseryed, and it was found that the records 
of payments of this nature do not exist prior to 1673-4, when the 
Dutch recaptured New York. Compare supra, p. 26. 



54 American Jewish Historical Society. 

arriving in the spring of 1655. In 1657 he had already prob- 
ably left New Amsterdam, though he appears there some time 
later after being mentioned as at South Eiver. Just previous 
to the receipt of the West India Company's letter of June 
14, 1656, which no doubt arrived in the latter part of July 
or early in August, de Ferera had been subjected to great 
indignities because of his alleged discourteous treatment of a 
bailiff under Schout Nicasius de Sille and of a violation, 
through ignorance, of a technical point of law. For this he 
had been imprisoned under a charge of contempt of justice. 
Many pages of the court minutes in the Records of New 
Amsterdam and also of the manuscript records at Albany are 
devoted to the proceedings in the case. All the documents in 
it, except the answer of de Ferera to the complaint against 
him, in which he protested his innocence, are given in full in 
the records, indicating that the case was considered of great 
importance. These records are set out in the Appendix 
hereto." 

" DeFerera had commenced suit on October 18, 1655, against 
Adrian Keyser for the payment of a debt. After many hearings 
and postponements the debt was ordered paid, and deFerera 
authorized on February 24, 1656, to dispose of certain of the de- 
fendant's goods held as security. Before a sale could be made 
another creditor of Keyser appeared, and on March 15, 1656, 
demanded the right to take possession of the goods on payment 
of deFerera's claim. DeFerera was then ordered to deliver the 
goods upon payment in beaver skins, but a dispute arising as to 
quality he demanded payment in zeewant, then current as money. 
The court then, on March 19, directed a deposit of the beavers 
with the bailiff, Dirck van Schelluyne, and ordered deFerera to 
deliver the goods to him and receive the skins. Complying with 
this order the goods were delivered at the bailiff's house in the 
latter's absence elsewhere on business, to which place deFerera 
repaired and requested payment. This the bailiff said he would 
make the following day, though the goods had been delivered to 
him and he had the beavers in his possession for the purpose of 
satisfying the claim. This was not satisfactory to deFerera, who 
no doubt had in mind the long delay to which he had already 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 55 

N"o other case is reported in such full detail in the minutes, 
and the record impliedly shows the prejudice of the inferior 
magistrates against the Jews, as intimated in Stuyvesant's first 
letter, and the lengths it led them while acting as judges. To 
the credit of Stuyvesant, who did not hear the case in the 
first instance, it should be said that he did not coincide with 

been subjected, and the probable further delay if the goods were 
left unpaid for, and he thereupon called again at the bailiff's 
house, with a cart, and notwithstanding the bailiff's admonition 
and protest removed the goods he had left, which were all in a 
chest as pledged to him originally as security. The bailiff there- 
upon lodged a complaint against deFerera and the court ordered 
the goods taken away to be returned. The Schout, Nicasius 
deSille, then came in and made a new complaint, claiming that 
deFerera, who could not speak Dutch, had used hasty words to 
the bailiff in Hebrew in the presence of those who understood the 
language, and for this and the refusal to leave the goods without 
immediate payment, caused him to be haled before the Burgo- 
masters and Schepens on July 3 for contempt of justice. Bail 
was refused, though offered by d'Acosta, and at the insistance 
of the Schout he was kept in durance vile for nearly a month, 
being released only towards the end of July. He had appealed 
to the Director General and Council after various hearings before 
the Burgomasters and Schepens sitting as the Inferior Court of 
Justice, denying any intention of offense, and afterwards, prob- 
ably on the advice of d'Acosta, withdrawing his appeal, claiming 
that, if in fault, the fault was committed through ignorance of 
the Dutch laws, customs and language, agreeing not to prosecute 
his appeal, but to place himself and his poor condition, as he ex- 
pressed it, at the merciful discretion and commiseration of the 
Council and Director, requesting them " to remit the all too 
heavily imposed fine, or at least to lighten it to such an extent 
that he could bear it and consequently be able to be discharged 
from his long incarceration." This resulted in an arbitration 
ordered by Stuyvesant on the following day, when the arbitrators 
met and decided upon their award imposing a bearable fine. See 
full record in the Appendix. For the proceedings in the suit of 
de Ferera against Adrian Keyser, see Records of New Amsterdam, 
I, pp. 376, 385; II, pp. 22, 32, 38, 42, 97. 



56 American Jewish Historical Society. 

their views. On an appeal to him by the defendant after a 
severe decision against him, he ordered an immediate sub- 
mission of the whole matter to arbitration, as the most satis- 
factory solution of the controversy which no doubt then com- 
manded much attention. After his long imprisonment in the 
city jail, de Ferera was willing to enter into this arrange- 
ment, with Joseph d'Acosta as his representative. It probably 
needed all the iniluence of d'Acosta, one of the principal 
shareholders of the Dutch West India Company, who acted 
as interpreter in the case, de Ferera not understanding 
Dutch, and no doubt also the fear of a reprimand from the 
Directors abroad, to bring about the settlement by arbitration. 
By this de Ferera was compelled to pay about 180 guilders 
which included costs and other expenses, to be relieved from 
his further imprisonment and obtain a remission of the fine 
of 800 guilders and costs imposed upon him, the skins, as a 
sop, being ordered to be delivered to him, and the rest of the 
Schout's demands being dismissed. The Schout, although 
the alleged contempt had not been committed in his presence 
or against his ofiice directly, had insisted upon the extreme 
penalty, fine, imprisonment, whipping at a stake, and ban- 
ishment, for what seems to us a comparatively trivial offense 
in a matter involving only five beaver skins of the value of a 
few guilders and after the court had originally ordered a 
retaking of the goods removed by de Ferera, which would 
naturally seem to have ended the case. It is curious to read 
of the votes given by each of the Burgomasters and the several 
Schepens who sat at the hearings, and how they differed as 
to the degree of punishment while all but one agreed as to 
some penalty, and of their proposed division of the fine 
between the Schout, the poor and the city. Judging from his 
statement that he was ignorant of Dutch customs, laws and 
language, and also from his name, de Ferera probably came 
from the city of Ferera in Italy. 

After the settlement, de Ferera apparently went to the 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenheim. 57 

South Eiver, as we find mention of him in various lawsuits 
and agreements in Maryland records. In one of these a note 
is made that, shortly after the events above mentioned, he 
had received seven months' medical attendance at the hands 
of Dr. Jacob Lumbrozo, a Jewish physician, who probably 
knew of him in New Amsterdam.'* 

He appears again in the Records of New Amsterdam under 
date of June, 1658, in a suit relating to tobacco imported 
from Virginia," and again on September 2, 1659, also in 
connection with the sale of some tobacco." 

De Ferera, as already sho\\Ti, was in New Amsterdam in 
March, 1655, when he hired a house in Pearl Street from 
Harman Douwes or Douwessen and Claes Jansen Ruijter's 

'* Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 1, 
p. 28, citing Records of the Provincial Court, Maryland, 1658-1662 
(MS.), fol. 136. See also Archives of Maryland, Provincial Court, 
1649/1650-1657, pp. 473, 475, 478, 480, 483, 491, 510, 511, con- 
taining entries mentioning deFerera between January 13, 1657, 
and May 18, 1657. In the last item, a bill of sale by deFerera, 
Jacob Lumbrozo appears as a witness. This witness has been 
treated of by Dr. J. H. Hollander in No. 1 of the Publications of 
the American Jewish Historical Society, pp. 25 et seq. Some doubt 
was expressed as to deFerera being a Jew, as he is not mentioned 
as such in the Maryland records. His mention in the New Am- 
sterdam records fixes his identity with the one of that name in 
Maryland at about the same period. The South River of New 
Netherland was in the neighborhood of Maryland, and in the 
records of the Provincial Court, supra, p. 293, it is spoken of in 
September, 1653, as in " Annarundell County." The Lumbrozo 
treated of by Dr. Hollander possibly came from New Amster- 
dam, and was presumably among the Jews who came on the 
St. Charles in September, 1654. On that ship, as appears from 
the records, reprinted in the Appendix, was a Moses Ambrosius, 
described as one of the principal debtors held for payment of 
the Master's claim for freight. The name Ambrosius was pos- 
sibly a misspelling for or was misunderstood by the scrivener in 
copying the name of Lumbrosio or Lumbrozo. 

"Bee. of N. A., II, p. 401. ''Id., Ill, p. 34. 



58 American Jewish Historical Society. 

wife Pietertje Jans. The lease was dated April 15, 1655, 
but the term began on March 8 of that year. Under it he 
deposited with the lessors 600 guilders as security for the 
rent, 400 of which was repayable at the expiration of six 
months after the date of the lease, and the remainder was to 
be applied to pay the rent for one year. On June 26, 1656, 
he is noted in the records as suing the lessors for the return 
of the 400 guilders, in elk hides, in accordance with the terms 
of the lease, which the defendants claimed they could not 
then supply. They offered zeewant which de Ferera de- 
clined to accept, probably because of its lower marketable 
value. The defendants were ordered to pay within three 
weeks, according to their obligation." This case was de- 
termined just before the commencement of the contempt pro- 
ceedings against him. 

He also acted as agent for Moses da Silva, a merchant of 
Amsterdam, a copy of whose petition to the Holland Direc- 
tors, taken from the Albany archives, dated August, 1656, 
but referring to events prior to May, 1655, is set out in the 
Appendix. It related to the failure to properly deliver cer- 
tain consigned goods, which had involved de Ferera in a law- 
suit against Peter Dircksen Waterhont, the skipper of the 
New Amsterdam bringing them to New Netherland." 

A letter of the Holland Directors to Stu^^esant, dated 
November 16, 1656, enclosing a copy of da Silva's petition, is 
also given in the Appendix. It directs the carrying out of 
the judgment obtained in da Silva's favor against the fiscal 
van Tienhoven, to whose official custody the goods had been 
wrongly delivered at the Company's warehouse. He had failed 
to comply with the judgment recovered on da Silva's behalf. 
Van Tienhoven was dismissed from office in disgrace and later 

"Id., II, pp. 118, 122. 

"See also Rec. of N. A., I, p. 376, and II, p. 13, as to the Water- 
hont suit, and, on appeal, Cal. of N. T. Hist. MSS., Dutch, pp. 157, 
158, annulling an attachment against deFerera. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenheim. 59 

disappeared. He is the same man who is noted early in this 
paper as bringing before the Burgomasters and Schepens the 
resolution requiring the Jews to leave the colony. 

Abraham de Lucena appears in the records under date of 
April 19, 1655, in a suit with Samuel Scarlett involving the 
expense of weighing tobacco purchased by him." On May 
5 of the same year he appears with David de Ferera and Sal- 
vador Dandrada in another suit relating to a dispute with the 
skipper of the Great Christopher as to the payment of freight 
on goods imported from Holland, de Lucena also claiming that 
part of his goods was lost or stolen.*" A refernce to him 
under date of March 1, 1655, in connection with keeping open 
store during the sermon has already been given. In addition 
to other references to him he appears in 1656 as the lessee of 
Rutger Jacobsen's house." A mention of him in connection 
with the same house appears under date of January 17, 
1663.'* Under date of March 20, 1656, he is mentioned as 
engaged again in a suit with Samuel Scarlett regarding the 
weight and quality of certain hides he had purchased, the de- 
cision being against him. In June, 1660, he appears in a 
suit against Eomeyn Serveyn to recover a debt, and at the 
same time to defend his wife's honor which had been aspersed 
by the defendant. On the order of the court the defendant 
retracted his slanderous remarks." Under date of November 
17, 1662, his name occurs for the last time in a record stating 
that he was being pressed for payment for his burgher right 

" Rec. of N. A., I, pp, 306-7. 

*> Id., p. 313. 

** See MS. volume in City Clerk's office, N. Y., entitled " Mort- 
gages, &c., of New Amsterdam, 1654-1660," p. 43. According to 
the same record, Jacobsen had acquired the house from Augustyn 
Heermans, May 11, 1655, and the latter had purchased it in 1651 
from Teunis Nyssen, who obtained his title from Gov. Kieft in 
1647. This helps to identify its location. 

« Rec. of N. A., IV, p. 9. 

"/d., II, pp. 66-67; III, pp. 166, 168. 



60 American Jewish Historical Society. 

[for the year] ; that he was doing no business, and had come 
here in order to go to Holland, but would pay if he remained. 
The Burgomasters agreed to excuse him for the time." 

Moses de Lucena, probably a brother, we find in October, 
1657, acting as translator of a Spanish document, with 
Joseph d'Acosta." In April, 1660, he was complained of for 
fighting with Jan Jansen of Eotterdam, and both parties were 
ordered to pay two pounds Flemish as a fine. He claimed 
that he had only defended himself after being attacked.** He 
will be mentioned further on as a sworn butcher with Asser 
Le^7 in 1660. 

Jacob de Lucena, a son or brother of one of the other Luce- 
nas, was in New Amsterdam in 1656. He stated in 1678 that 
he had then been in the colony upwards of twenty-two years, 
had done trading for himself for eight years and had served 
an apprenticeship.*' 

Joseph d'Acosta appears as late as April 13, 1660, in a suit 
to recover a debt due him," and a few months later, or on 
June 30, 1660, was authorized to proceed to the recovery of 
a judgment against Jean Adriensen Duyvelant.*' Previously 
he had appeared on August 13, 1658, before the Burgomasters 
complaining that he and his nation had been abused by Gry- 
tie Maas when he presented his account for certain goods 
sold to her by Jacob Cohen, whose name appears there for 
the last time in the records. She was compelled to apologize.*" 
In August, 1657, he acted as translator from Spanish into 
Dutch of a long deposition of Jean Gallardo."*' In this de- 

^* Minutes of the Orphanmaster's Court, N. Y., 1907, II, p. 18. 
''Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., II, p. 42. 
''Rec. of N. A., Ill, pp. 158, 163. 

*' See Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 3, p. 77, citing Translation of N. Y. Col. MSS., VI, p. 85. 
^Rec. of N. A., Ill, pp. 154, 157. 
«» Cal. N. Y. Hist. MSS., Dutch, p. 214. 
"JJec. of N. A., II, pp. 416, 419, 424. 
''^Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., II, pp. 35, 39. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 61 

position Abraham de Lucena's name is mentioned as a wit- 
ness to a certain translation. In 1658 he was represented by 
Asser Levy as his attorney in a suit at Albany, which will be 
referred to in speaking of Levy. 

Jacob Cohen had a long litigation with Peter Montfort and 
Jan Jansen and Jan Corneilsen, beginning February 28, 1656, 
for the possession of a canoe purchased by Cohen and claimed 
by Montfort. The record gives the details of a number of 
hearings. The defendants' witnesses were unwilling to swear 
to their testimony, and the minutes stop short of a decision 
which apparently would have been in Cohen's favor.*^ 

Cohen figures in some litigation in January, 1658, relative 
to shipments of tobacco." In the original record mention is 
made of his wife, though not by name. Previously, on Decem- 
ber 23, 1655, he gave a bond with Salvador Dandrada, sign- 
ing his name Jacob Cohen Henri ques, in relation to some 
seized tobacco about to be sent to Holland." The last mention 
of him is under date of August 12, 1658, as already stated. 
There, a reference is made to the fact that he had departed 
from the colony. 

Elias Silva appears as a defendant under date of March 
27, 1656, with Jacob Cohen as his interpreter, in a case in 
which he positively denied the charge against him. The case 
does not appear to have come to any trial.** He was probably 
a brother or son of Moses da Silva, already mentioned. 

Jacob Barsimson entered suit against the skipper of the 
Peartree, or his attorney Allard Anthony, for the loss of 
certain goods he claimed as his property and which had been 
removed, as he alleged, without his consent, by a fellow-pas- 
senger. The c-ourt decided in his favor, September 25, 1656,** 

''Rec. of N. A., II, pp. 47, 61, 67, 74, 83. 
« Cal. of N. Y. Hist. M.S'.S'., Dutch, p. 188. 

"Id., pp. 156, 157, and Publications of the American Jewish 
Historical Society, No. 2, p. 80. 

''Rec. of N. A., II, p. 76. '^ Id., II, pp. 173-4. 



62 American Jewish Historical Society. 

but on an appeal by Anthony to the Director and Council the 
decision was reversed January 30, 1657, on the ground that 
no proof existed that the passenger taking the goods did not 
own the same, both parties having common access to the trunk 
in which they were contained, and Barsimson's ownership 
not being established except through his own testimony 
alone."' He appears on January 29, 1659, to have recovered 
a judgment against Warner Wessels, which was appealed by 
the latter to the Director and Council and Barsimson was 
ordered to appear in its support on March 20. jSTo reference 
to this case appears in the Records of New Amsterdam. It 
related to a sale of tobacco." 

The cases against Jacob Barsimson, under date of June 3, 
]658, when, though absent on the return day of the summons 
to appear in court, no default was allowed to be entered 
against him " as he was summoned on his Sabbath," have 
already been noted.'* In this connection it may be mentioned 
that in the grant of liberties and exemption to the Jews in 
the colony at Pomeroon in the Essequibo district, already 
referred to, in existence about this period, provision was 
made in the same line for their protection,'" 

Barsimson is also mentioned in a suit in January, 1656, 
against Maryn Luyckersen arising from a barter, wherein he 
delivered twelve pair of shoes and one beaver, for which the 
defendant was to get for him from the North some butter at 
the rate of ten pounds for one pair of shoes, and on failure 
to comply with his agreement suit was brought and judgment 
given in Barsimson's favor.'"" 

""iV. Y. Col. M8S., VIII, pp. 439-441. 

*'N. Y. Col. MSS., XVI, Part 4, p. 9. See also Appendix VIII. 

••Adrian Keyser against Jacob Barsimson, and Storm Alberzen 
against Jacob Barsimson, Rec. of N. A., II, pp. 396, 397. 

"' See Puhlications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 16, p. 176, and No. 17, p. 59. 

^"^Rec. of N. A., II, pp. 2, 8, 9. 



Early History of the Jews in New Yorh—Oppenheim. 63 

A David Machoro appears under date of July, 1663, as a 
witness in a case,'"" He was no doubt related to the family 
of that name prominent among the Jews in Brazil, mentioned 
by Eev. George A. Kohut, citing de Barrios."' 

Under date of July 24, 1664, mention is made of an Abra- 
ham Israel de Pyse, as a Jew, and his son, probably meaning 
Abraham Israel of the city of Pisa, Italy. They were wit- 
nesses in a suit."' 

Asser Levy represented Joseph d'Acosta as attorney in fact 
in a suit at Albany in 1658 against a debtor to recover a debt 
incurred in Brazil, and in answer to the latter's defence that 
he was compelled to flee the country on its fall Levy showed 
that payment had been ordered by a judgment of the court in 
Eecife a year prior to the surrender. A decision was accord- 
ingly given in his favor. A copy of this record from the MS. 
volume in the Albany County Clerk's office is given in the 

^'^ See Minutes of Orphanmaster's Court, supra, II, p. 18. 

^"^^ Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 
3, pp. 107, 108. 

i°»Bec. of N. A., V, p. 96. 

This man is no doubt identical with Abraham Israel de Pisa or 
Piso, mentioned as the " gold finding Jew " of Jamaica, in the 
article on " The Jews in the British West Indies," by Dr. Herbert 
Friedenwald, in Publications of the American Jewish Historical 
Society, No. 5, pp. 48, 58 and 69. See also Id., pp. 90 and 91. He, 
with Abraham Cohen of Amsterdam, received letters of denization 
from Charles II, March 5, 1662-3, and a commission, with Sir 
William Davidson, to discover and work a gold mine in Jamaica 
on shares with the King. This commission appears in the British 
Museum Add. Egerton MSS., No. 2551, fol. 152" to 158", and a copy 
has been obtained for publication. In the body, the name is always 
spoken of as Abraham Israel, the words " de Piso " occurring only 
at the commencement of the document. It is possible he is iden- 
tical with the Abraham Israel who, as already noted, was on the 
St. Charles in 1654. His appearance in Jamaica in 1663, or even 
a few years before, is not, however, indicative of his having come 
from there in 1654. 



64 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Appendix. In the same volume at p. 353, is to be found a 
deposition by Levy, relating to the loss of a number of barrels 
of brandy, as to which he gave testimony as a witness in a 
suit. Memoranda of other eases to recover payment of debts 
brought by him in 1658 appear in the same volume. He also 
in 1659 represented Abraham Cohen, of Amsterdam, who as 
already shown, was later a shareholder of the West India 
Company. A copy of the record of the bond by C. J. Pluivier 
to Levy as agent for Cohen is given in the Appendix. On 
this bond a suit was brought in 1663, as appears in Records 
of New Amsterdam, IV, p. 73. 

He appears on February 24, 1664, shortly before the sur- 
render of New Amsterdam to the English, as contributing 
the sum of 100 guilders towards a loan for strengthening 
the fortifications."* He and Jacob Israel are the only Jews 
whose names are found signed to the oath of allegiance to the 
English government after the surrender."" He appears in 
the records after 1660 as the only Jewish litigant, being as 
a rule the plaintiff and suing to recover a debt. His promi- 
nence in the Jewish community apparently began only in 
1657, the other Jews of before that date, named herein, being 
the leading merchants. In addition to his trading he also 
acted as a butcher, being sworn in as such with Moses Lucena 
and others in October, 1660, when he was excused from 
slaughtering hogs. The record says these two took the oath 
which the Jews are accustomed to take.'"" Later, in November, 
1662, he, with Egbert Meindersen, asked for an increase of the 
compensation allowed for the work, and this was granted."" 
He acted in this capacity to enable the Jews to properly 
observe their dietary laws. 

Further references to Asser Levy appear elsewhere in the 

»" Id., V, p. 31. 

^"'Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. Y., Ill, pp. 75, 76. 

^'^Rec. of N. A., VII, pp. 258, 261. 

^'"Minutes of Orphanmaster's Court, supra, II, p. 165. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenlieim. 65 

Publications.^'* These bring his history down to his death. 
One of them makes a reference to a conveyance to him by the 
widow of Jan Nagle, June 8, 1652, of a house and lot on 
Hoogh, or Stone Street, running through to South William 
Street, and in June, 1663, of another house and lot by Wessel 
Eversen on the same street."* 

The statement in Publications of the American Jewish 
Historical Society, No. 8, pp. 16-17, that besides these 
two lots Levy acquired additional land on South Wil- 
liam Street and two lots which became subsequently the site 
of the Jewish synagogue on Mill Street is based upon what 
appears in Daly's Settlement of the Jews in Nortli America, 
p. 32, which inferred that the conveyance from Eversen was 
the site of the sjTiagogue and which does not specify these as 
in addition to the Nagle and Eversen lots. The statement 
therefore that Levj' acquired two additional lots requires to 
be modified. Daly mentions the property acquired as adja- 
cent to that owned by Daniel Joghimsen. This is the prop- 
erty mentioned in the deed from Eversen which refers to 
the Joghimsen lot. Joghimsen was not a Jew, as suggested 
by Judge Daly."" 

"* See Publications of the American Jeicish Historical Society, 
No. 3, " An Early Ownership of Real Estate in Albany, N. Y., by 
a Jewish Trader," by Hon. S. "W. Rosendale, and Publications of 
the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 8, " Asser Levy, a 
Noted Jewish Burgher, of New Amsterdam," by Leon Hiihner. 

"° See Valentine's Manual for 1865, pp. 691 and 701, for descrip- 
tion of property, taken from the original records in the City 
Clerk's office. See also Manual for 1857, p. 498, for location of 
property on reconstructed map and reproduction by H. D. Taylor, 
in 1897. 

"° A further mention of Levy appears in the volume in the City 
Clerk's office, N. Y., entitled "Mortgages," &c., 1654-1660, p. 84, 
in connection with a mortgage given to him by Dierckje Hermans, 
wife of Jan Mertens, of Fort Orange, in the Beaverwyck, dated 
April 12, 1658, to secure the payment of 176 guilders in beavers, 
at 8 guilders a beaver skin, for merchandize sold her. Another 
reference to Levy in 1662 is set out in Appendix XII. 
7 



66 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Isaac Mesa or Meza seems to have been engaged in 1657 in 
trade at the South Eiver."^" His appeal from a judgment of 
the Vice-Director there, as found in the Albany records, to- 
gether with other papers relating to the case, has been treated 
of by Dr. A. S. W. Eosenbach, in an earlier volume of the 
Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society."^ 
The name printed there as Isaiah Mesa should, according to 
the original Dutch record, be Isaac Mesa. He is no doubt 
identical with one of the same name who appears in 1669 to 
have been a member of the Jewish community in Surinam 
and who in 1677, under the name printed as Mera, was ready 
to leave that place as a British subject to go to Jamaica."' 

Judicq de Mereda is mentioned as on the St. Charles in 
September, 1654."" This name, given as J. De Merode, was 
found by the writer among the MSS. in the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania, already referred to, in connection with a 
resolution of the States-General relating to Brazil matters, 
under date of February, 1663, in treating of the settlement of 
disputes with Portugal arising out of the reconquest in 1654. 

Joshua Mordekay EnEiques has been mentioned as ship- 
ping goods from Curagao to ISTew Netherland in December, 
lese.""" The original record, listed among the Curagao 
Papers in the Calendar, does not confirm this. The document, 
which is a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese, gives the date 
as January 1, 1656, and mentions no place nor any other name 
than EnEiques. It apparently is a list of articles left by 
EnEiques, without any other indication regarding it."'" 

"' Cal. N. Y. Hist. M88., Dutch, p. 186. 

^^Tublications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 
5, pp. 193-4. 

^^Id.. No. 16, p. 145, and No. 6, p. 17. 

"'* See Records of New Amsterdam, I, p. 241, and Appendix I. 

^^^ Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 
10, p. 61, citing MSS. Translation of Dutch Records. XII, p. 99. 

""= See N. Y. Col. MSS., Vol. XVII, p. 37. It is headed: " Me- 
moria Deloque Dexo el snr josua emordahay em riques el primer 



Early History of the Jews in New YorTc — Oppenheim, 67 

A new name, not heretofore noted or appearing in the 
printed records, Joseph Frances, a Jewish merchant residing 
in New Amsterdam about 1660, is taken from the MS. Dutch 
copy of the letter of the Holland Directors to Stuyvesant, 
dated April 16, 1663, already quoted from. That letter was 
not printed in full."* The reference to Frances reads as fol- 
lows: 

Joseph. Frances, Jewish merchant, who has resided there some 
time has informed us that in the year 1660 he made a sale to 
the Secretary van Ruyven for account of the Company, payable 
partly in zeewant and partly in beavers during the business sea- 
son, and as it has not yet been followed by payment, he therefore 
asks us to write to your Honors so that he may obtain his pay- 
ment out of the first receipts there in the country. Which, if it 
is as he has claimed, it is recommended he be accommodated at 
the first opportunity."" 

The residences occupied by the first Jews in New Amster- 
dam can be fairly located."* 

Salvador Dandrada's house, which Tennis Cray sold him 
but the sale of which was annulled, was situated at the south- 
west corner of Broad and Stone Streets. 

Joseph d^Acosta's house, which was adjacent to that of 
Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven, was situated at the 
west side of Stone Street, between Pearl and Beaver, and its 
site is now known as 27 Stone Street. 

Dia Del mes De enero De 1656 @," which, should be translated as: 
" List of what was left by Senor Joshua and Mordekay EnRiques 
the 1st day of the month of January of 1656." See Publications, 
supra, No. 10, pp. 48, 67, 68, giving names of other members of 
EnRiques family, of which probably Jacob Cohen Henriques, al- 
ready noted, was a member. 

"* See Docs. rel. to Col. Hist, of N. T., XIV, p. 525. 

^''N. Y. Col. MSS., XV, p. 12. 

"' See Map in Valentine's Manual, for 1857, p. 498, reproduced 
in 1897 by Henry D. Taylor, with present names of streets. See 
also J. H. Innes, New Amsterdam and Its People, supra, pp. 82-86, 
146-7, and maps, pp. 1, 44, 80, 244, and copies of leases in Appendix. 



68 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Abraham de Lucena's house, which belonged to Eutger 
Jacobsen, who acquired it from Augustyn Heermans, who ac- 
quired it from Teunis ISTysen, was at the east comer of Pearl 
and Whitehall Streets. 

David de Ferera's residence, which belonged to Claes Jan- 
sen Euyter's wife, was on Pearl Street running through to 
Bridge Street, between Marketfield or Whitehall Street and 
the Forth Eiver. 

Asser Levy's property, as already mentioned, was on Stone 
Street, running through to South William and near Mill 
Street. 

The location of the houses of Jacob Cohen Henriques and 
Jacob Barsimson does not appear from the records, but prob- 
ably was close to those of the other Jews. 



APPENDIX. 

I. 

The Aerivai, of the Jews in 1654. — Coitet Peoceedings. 

(From the Records of New Amsterdam, New York, 1897, trans- 
lated by Berthold Fernow.) 

[Vol. I, p. 240.] 

Monday, September 7, 1654. 
Jacques de la Motthe, Master of the Bark St. Charles, by a 
petition written in French, requests the payment of the freight 
and board of the Jews whom he brought here from Cape St. 
Anthony, according to agreement and contract in which each is 
bound in solidum, and that therefore whatever furniture and 
other property they may have on board his Bark may be publicly 
sold by order of the Court in payment of their debt. He verbally 
declares that the Netherlanders, who came over with them, are 
not included in the contract and have satisfied him. Solomon 
Pietersen, a Jew, appears in Court and says that nine hundred 
odd guilders of the 2,500 are paid, and that there are 23 souls, 
big and little, who must pay equally. The Court having seen 
the petition and contract order that the Jews shall, within twice 
24 hours after date, pay according to contract what they law- 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 69 

fully owe; and in the meanwhile, the furniture and whatever 
the petitioner has in his possession shall remain as security, 
without alienating the same. 

[Vol. I, p. 241.] 

Thursday, Sept. 10, 1654. 

Jacques de la Motthe, Master of the Bark called the [St. 
Charles]* complainant, Contra Divers Jews. Read their [con- 
tract]* from which it appears that they owe to the plaintiff in 
solidum a balance of fl. 1,567 for freight and board from Cape 
St. Anthony to New Netherland. Parties appeared and acknowl- 
edgment of the contract being made, it was by the Burgomasters 
and Schepens declared that the debtors have not legally nor right- 
fully paid, though they have property sufficient to defray the 
debt; that they shall first be called upon, and their goods sold 
for the payment, and if these shall not be sufficient to make up the 
full sum, then, according to the contract, each one for all in solidum 
shall be called upon until the full amount shall be paid. LaMotthe 
was accordingly authorized, in case of non-payment within four 
days after date hereof, to cause to be sold, by public vendue, in 
presence of the Officer, the goods of Abram Israel and Judicq de 
Mereda, being the greatest debtors, and these not sufficing he shall 
proceed, in like manner, with the others to the full acquittance 
of the debt and no further. Thus done and concluded this 10th 
September, 1654, in Amsterdam in New Netherland, in the As- 
sembly aforesaid. 

[Vol. I, p. 244.] 

Extraordinary Meeting, holden on Wednesday the 16th September, 

1654, at the City Hall. 

Jacques de la Motthe, Master of the Bark called St. Catrina 
[an "h" is written over the first "a"] pltf. contra David Israel 
and the other Jews, according to their signatures, defts. Touching 
the balance of the payment of the passage money of the said Jews 
for which each is bound in solidum. Whereas their goods sold 
thus far by vendue do not amount to the payment of their obliga- 
tion, it is therefore requested that one or two of the said Jews 
be taken as principal, which, according to the aforesaid contract 
or obligation, cannot be refused. Therefore he hath taken David 
Israel and Moses Ambrosius as principal debtors for the remain- 
ing balance, with request that the same be placed in confinement 

* Paper worn away. 



70 American Jewish Historical Society. 

until the account be paid. The Court having weighed the petition 
of the pltf. and seen the obligation wherein each is bound in 
solidum for the full payment, have consented to the pltf's request 
to place the aforesaid persons under civil arrest (namely with the 
I*rovost marshal) until they shall have made satisfaction; pro- 
vided that he, LaMotthe, shall provisionally answer for the board 
which is fixed at sixteen stivers per diem for each prisoner, and 
it is ordered that for this purpose 40 @ 50 guilders, proceeding 
from the goods sold, shall remain in the hands of the Secretary, 
together with the expenses of this Special Court. Done in New 
Amsterdam in New Netherland. 

[Vol. I, p. 252.] 

October 12, 1654. 
In Court was paid, from the proceeds of the Jews' goods which 
were sold by order at vendue — 

To the Provost Marshal for what David Israel was de- 
tained, according to account fl. 12. 

Item. For an Extraordinary Session of Court 20. 

fl. 32. 
So that there remains of said money, per cassa fl. 72. 



[Vol. I, p. 242.] 

September 14, 1654. 

Asser Leeven, pltf. vs. Ricke Nounes, deft. 

Pltf. demands repayment of 8^^ pieces of Eight advanced to 
her at Gamonike [the original reads " haer vershooten op Gamon- 
ike," which Mr. Fernow translated " disbursed on his account at 
Gamonike [Jamaica] " and fl. 15 for a waistcoat [the Dutch 
is " borstrok," meaning a woman's or child's waistcoat] and 
other things delivered to the defendant. Defendant acknowledges 
five pieces of Eight were delivered [gelevert] at Gamonike [the 
Dutch reads " bekent wel 5 st. van Achten op Gamonike gelevert 
heeft," which Mr. Fernow translated as " Defendant acknowledges 
to have borrowed five pieces of eight at GamonilvS"] and 7 fl. 
advanced to her husband, but demands on the other side payment 
of 12 pieces of Eight disbursed for freight for the plaintiff with 
other items, making together fl. 41.11, so that, by account, a bal- 
ance remains due her of fl. 22.5. Plaintiff maintains that the 12 ps. 
of Eight were not disbursed, but only 10 pieces were guaranteed 
and not paid, and he is not indebted for the other. [Mr. Fernow 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 71 

translated " maer alleen voor 10 st. van achten goet gesproocken 
en niet betaelt, en dat het andere niet schuldich Is," as " but 
goods only ordered to the amount of ten pieces and not paid, 
and that he is not indebted any more."] The Worshipful Court 
referred the parties to two arbitrators, Sieur Govert Lockermans 
and Sieur Johannes dePeyster being appointed as such, to examine 
the accounts and differences on both sides, and if possible to 
bring about an agreement; otherwise to deliver into Court their 
opinion in writing. 

[Vol. I, p. 252] 

October 12, 1654. 
Solomon Piers, as ag't for Rycke Nunes, pltf. vs. Assar Leeven, 
deft. Deft's first default. 

[Vol. I, p. 254.] 

October 19, 1654. 

Solomon Pietersen, as atty. for Rycke Nounes, pltf. vs. Asser 
Leeven, deft. 

Pltf., in his capacity aforesaid, demands payment of fl. 105.18 
which Rycke Nounes paid for freight for him from the West 
Indies with her goods since sold by auction for defendant and 
others according to acc't. Defendant says that his and the other 
persons' goods have been sold at vendue, and that he then repre- 
sented that if his goods were not sold he should pay his freight, 
as he had money belonging to him. He now claims that he is 
not bound to pay, and also that he is unable. Parties having 
been heard, the Court condemns deft. Assar Leeven in the said 
sum of fl. 105.18, balance of freight, which he owes Ricke Nounes 
whose goods were sold for the same, over and above her own 
debt; or to satisfy her Atty. within 14 days from date. 

[Vol. I, p. 249.] 

October 5, 1654. 
Jan Martyn pltf. vs. Assar Leeven, deft. Pltf. as Attorney and 
agent of the Sailors who brought the Jews here from the West 
Indies, demands from deft, payment of f. 106. still remaining due. 
Deft, says that all his goods were sold by auction, and he is not 
bound to pay any more, inasmuch as payment for his freight was 
offered before the sale on condition that his goods be not sold. 
The court persists in its previous decision that the prisoners 
who were taken as principals be held responsible also for the 
remainder of the payment. 



73 American Jewish Historical Society. 

[Vol. I, p. 259.] 

October 26, 1654. 
Solomon Pieters appeared in Court, and exhibited a declaration 
from the Attorney of the Sailors, relative to the balance of the 
freight of the Jews, promising to wait until the arrival of the 
ship from Patria. Wherefore he requests to receive the moneys 
still in the Secretary's hands for Rycke Nounes whose goods were 
sold, over and above her own freight-debt, in order to obtain 
from that money some support for her. Whereupon was endorsed: 
Petitioner Solomon Pieters as Attorney was permitted to take, 
under security, the monies in the Secretary's hands. 

{MS. Translation of Dutch Records, entitled " Powers of Attor- 
ney, Acknowledgments, Indentures of Apprenticeship, Inventories, 
Deeds, &c., 1651-1656," pp. 80-81, in office of City Clerk, New York, 
corrected after comparison with the Dutch original in the volume 
in the same office, entitled " Burgomasters & Schepens, 1653 to 
1675," No. 1.) 

I, the undersigned, as representative of the common sailors of 
the barque called the St. CatJirie [should have been St. Cahrel], 
touching the balance of the freight of the Jews they brought hither 
from the West Indies, there being still due a balance of four hun- 
dred and ninety-five guilders, hereby, at the request of [Solomon 
Piet]ers, attorney for Ricke Nounes, [on] the promise made by 
said Jews to pay by the next coming ships sailing from Patria, 
they having written about the same by the ships sailing for Patria, 
declare that I have promised them to await payment the aforesaid 
time, and hereby promise meanwhile not in the least to molest or 
trouble the said Jews who shall remain here, with regard to the 
pay aforesaid, but to wait the aforesaid time until the answer to 
their letters be received by the first ship. 

In witness I have subscribed these presents in the quality 
aforesaid this 21st October, 1654. New Amsterdam in New Nether- 
land. 

This is the mark of 



© 



Witnesses Jan Martyn 

This is the X mark of made hy himself 

PlETEE JACOBSEN, 

Capt. Lieutenant, made by himself. 
Isaac Kip. 
To my knowledge, 

Jacob Kip, Secretary. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 73 

II. 
Extract fbom Lettee of Rev. John Megapolensis, Dated Am- 
sterdam, IN New Netherland, the 18th March, 1655, 
TO the Classis of Aaisterdam.* 

"We have cause to be grateful to the Lords Directors and to 
your Reverences for the care and trouble taken to procure for 
the Dutch on Long Island a good clergyman, even though it has 
not yet resulted in anything. Meanwhile, God has led Domine 
Joannes Polhemius from Brazil, over the Carribean Islands, to 
this place. He has for the present gone to Long Island, to a vil- 
lage called Midwout .... Last summer some Jews came here 
from Holland, in order to trade. Afterwards some Jews, poor 
and healthy, also came here on the same ship with D: Polheijmis. 
It would have been proper that these had been supported by their 
own nation, but they have been at our charge, so that we have 
had to spend several hundred guilders for their support. They 
came several times to my house, weeping and bewailing their 

* From translation in Ecclesiastical Records of New York, Al- 
bany, N. Y., 1901, Vol. I, pp. 334-6, as revised after comparison 
with the original letter among the archives of the General Synod 
of the Reformed Dutch Church in America, at the Sage Library, 
New Brunswick, N. J., examined by the writer through the cour- 
tesy of Rev. Dr. E. T. Corwin. The part relating to the presence 
of the Jews in New Amsterdam reads in the original Dutch as 
follows, and is here given for purposes of comparison with the 
oflBcial translation: 

" Voorleden Soomer sijn alhier eenigen joden van Holt ge- 
coomen, om coophandel te drijven, naaderhant sijnder oock op een 
en t selve schip met D: Polheijmis eenige Joden caal en gesont 
alhier gecoomen. Het hadde wel betaamt dat desen hadden onder- 
houden worden van haar eygen natie, doch sij sijn tot onsen 
lasten geweest, alsoo dat wij eenigen hondert guldens tot onder- 
hout van desen hebben moeten spenderen. Sij sijn verscheijden 
maalen tot mijnent coomen crijten en karmen van ellend en 
waneer ick haar totte jodensche coopman wees, soo seijden sij 
dat hij haar niet een eenigen stuijver wilde verschieten. Nu 
sijnder int voorjaar wederom eenigen gecoomen uit Hollant en 
geven voor datter noch meenichte van dat gespuijs souden volgen, 
en dan alhier haare synagoge oprechten." 

See comment on this letter in the text. 



74 American Jewish Historical Society. 

misery, and when I directed them to the Jewish merchant they 
said that he would not lend them a single stiver. Now again in 
the spring some have come from Holland, and report that a great 
many of that lot would yet follow and then build here their syna- 
gogue. This causes among the congregation here a great deal 
of complaint and murmuring. These people have no other God 
than the unrighteous Mammon, and no other aim than to get 
possession of Christian property, and to win all other merchants 
by drawing all trade towards themselves. Therefore, we request 
your Reverences to obtain from the Lords Directors that these 
godless rascals, who are of no benefit to the country, but look 
at everything for their own profit, may be sent away from here. 
For, as we have here Papists, Mennonites and Lutherans among 
the Dutch; also many Puritans or Independents, and many 
Atheists and various other servants of Baal among the English 
under this Government, who conceal themselves under the name 
of Christians; it would create a still greater confusion, if the 
obstinate and immovable Jews came to settle here. 

in. 

Lease to David Fereba, Dated Apeil 15, 1655. 

(From Vol. Ill, p. 359, of Translations of Dutch N. T. Colonial 
MSS., Ill, p. 130, in New York State Library.) 

Before me, Cornells van Ruyven, secretary in New Netherland, 
appointed by the General Chartered West India Company, ap- 
peared the Worthy Harmen Douwessen and Pietertje Jans, wife 
of Claes Jansen Ruijter, of the one part, and David Ferera of the 
other part, which Harmen Douwes and Pietertje Jans, for herself 
and in the name of her husband Claes Jansen Ruijter, declared 
that they leased, and David Ferera acknowledged that he hired, 
a certain house belonging to the lessors, standing and situated 
in Pearl street, adjoining Rem Jansen and Jacob Eversen, for 
the term of one year, commencing on the 8th of March last. For 
the rent of said house the lessee shall deliver to the lessors six 
hundred guilders' worth of merchantable goods which they may 
dispose of for their benefit; but on the expiration of six months 
they shall be bound to deliver to the lessee the sum of four hun- 
dred guilders in beaver or elk hides, according as parties shall 
then agree, and the remaining two hundred guilders the lessors 
shall retain for the use of the aforesaid house for the term of 
one year. Parties have further agreed and covenanted that in 
case the lessors fail to pay the said 400 guilders at the appointed 



Early History of the Jeivs in New York — Oppenheim. 75 

time of six months, the lessee shall have as his guarantee the 
aforesaid house and for that purpose they specially mortgage 
and pledge the aforesaid house and lot until the payment be ef- 
fectually made. Wherefore parties respectfully bind all their 
property, moveable and immoveable, present and future, nothing 
excepted, submitting the same to all courts, tribunals and judges. 
Thus done in Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 15th of April, 
Ao. 1655. 

Harmen Douwes 
Petek ijans 
Dauid fbra 
Juryen blanck, as witness 
In my presence, 

COBNEUS VAN RuiJVEN, 

» Secretary. 

IV. 
Jewish Bubying Ground. 

(Translation of N. T. Col. M8S., Vol. VI, p. 285, in New York 
State Library.) 

July, 1655. 

Abraham deLucena, Salvador Dandrada and Jacob Cohen, Jews, 
in the name of the others, petition the Honorable Director Gen- 
eral this day to be permitted to purchase a burying place for 
their nation, which being reported to the meeting and voted on, 
it was agreed to give them the answer that inasmuch as they did 
not wish to bury their dead (of which as yet there was no need) 
in the common burying ground, there would be granted them 
when the need and occasion therefor arose, some place elsewhere 
of the free land belonging to the Company. 

Dated as above. 

22 February [1656]. 

Present at the meeting, the Worshipful Director General and 
Council, Nicasius de Sille, LaMontagne and Cornells van Tien- 
hoven. Fiscal. 

Received and read the request of Abraham de Lucena, Salvador 
Dandrada and Jacob Cohen, Jews, in the name of the other Jews, 
requesting that consent may be given to them to purchase a bury- 
ing place or that a place, after being pointed out, may be granted 
and allowed them. 

After a vote, the following was thereupon added as an apostille: 

The Honorable Nicasius de Sille and Cornells Tienhoven are 



76 American Jewish Historical Society. 

authorized to point out to the petitioners a little hook of land 
situate outside of this city for a burial place, and to make report 
thereof to the meeting. 
Dated as above. 

V. 

Lease to Joseph d'Acosta. 

(From N. Y. Col. M8S., Vol. Ill, p. 140, in New York State 
Library; MS. Translation in Vol. Ill, p. 412.) 

Before me Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New 
Netherland, in the service of the General Incorporated West 
India Company, and before the undernamed witnesses, appeared 
Michiel de Carreman, of the one part, and Joseph d'Acoste, of 
the other part, which Michiel de Carreman declared that he leased, 
and Joseph d'acosta acknowledged that he hired, a certain house 
belonging to the lessor standing and situate in the city of Amster- 
dam in New Netherland, adjoining the house at present occupied 
by the lessor and the house of Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwen- 
hoven at present occupied by his late wife's mother, together with 
the well and the yard, the same as Johannis Withart hath made 
use of the same; and that for the term of one year, which lease 
shall first commence on the first of July Ao 1656 and end also on 
the first of July Ao 1657; but if the lessee will give then the same 
rent for the premises as another offers he shall have the prefer- 
ence on the following conditions: The lessor promises to deliver 
to the lessee the aforesaid house wind and water tight, which 
the lessee remains bound to keep in good repair during the lease, 
and at the end of the term to deliver it up to the lessor in the 
same condition. For rent of the aforesaid house the lessee 
promises to pay the sum of Two hundred and fifty guilders and 
20 cans of brandy; the 200 guilders in good merchantable beavers 
and the 50 guilders in good current wampum. For all that is 
aforesaid, parties respectively pledge their persons and prop- 
erties, present and future, without any exception, submitting the 
same to all courts and judges. 

In testimony whereof, this is signed by the parties, and Isaac 
Israel and William Bogardus, witnesses hereunto invited, at Am- 
sterdam, in New Netherland, the 6th December Ao 1655. 

This is X the mark made by 

Michiel de Cabbeman 
Joseph DaCosta 
Isaque Israel 
W: Bogardus. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 77 

VI. 

Pboceedixgs in the Case of David deFereea. 

[Records of New Amsterdam, II, p. 124.] 

June 25, 1656. 
Dirck van Schelluyne, pltf. vs. David Frere, deft. Deft, in 
default. 

Plaintiff in his quality as Bailiff, complains that deft had again 
taken away, contrary to entered protest, a certain chest belonging 
to A. Keyser, which he had in charge and had delivered in con- 
signment at his house, as more fully appears by the writing. 
The Honorable Sheriff, N. deSille requests copy of complaint 
to enter his action thereupon. The Court granted the Honorable 
Sheriff the copy, and ordered the aforesaid Frere to restore the 
chest with the clothing on the first demand to the Bailiff's house, 
or in default that the same shall be forthwith removed from his 
house by the sheriff's oflQcers. 

[II, pp. 130-1.] 

July 3, 1656. 

Nicasius de Silla, in his quality as Sheriff of this City, pltf. vs. 
David Frere, deft. 

Pltf. enters his demand in writing as followeth: 
To the Hon^ie President and Very Discreet Gentlemen. 

Gentlemen : It is known to your Worships, that David Frere, 
a Jew, brought, by order, a certain chest with clothes to the house 
of Dirck van Schelluyne, Bailiff of this City, on condition that the 
Jew aforesaid should receive satisfaction therefor that evening, 
or at furthest the next day. But whereas the above named Jew 
was not willing to be contented with that but would have imme- 
diate payment or take the things back; paying no attention to all 
the Bailiff's admonitions, warnings and protests he has, notwith- 
standing all above mentioned, come with a cart before the Bailiff's 
dwelling and removed the chest therefrom, making use moreover 
of many words in his tongue, in presence of the Bailiff. Which 
tends to the great disrespect and prejudice of your Honors, al- 
though it did not occur to your Honors but to one dependent on 
you who, nevertheless, must be maintained in the performance 
of his duty; Also such proceedings, such unbecoming opposition 
and disturbance to the duties of the Bailiff and Messenger cannot 
be permitted but must be punished. The Schout having ex 
officio taken cognizance thereof, in support of justice, he con- 



78 American Jewish Historical Society. 

eludes that the assigned beaver skins (which the Jew aforesaid 
claims as his pay) shall remain confiscated for the Schout; that 
the said Jew shall be publicly whipped at a stake, and banished 
forth from this province of New Netherland, and that he provi- 
sionally shall go into close confinement, — demanding costs, etc. 
Was subscribed. 

NiCASIUS DE SiXLE. 

Deft. David Frere appears with an interpreter, Joseph de Kos- 
ter, in court, requests copy of the demand to answer thereunto 
in writing by the next court day. 

Opinions on the Sheriff's Demand: 

Allard Anthony decides that deft, be put in prison. 

Oloff decides that he be not imprisoned but merely that copy of 
the demand be granted. 

Joh. Ptr. Verbrugge votes imprisonment. 

Strycker " imprisonment. 

Vinje " imprisonment. 

The others concur. 

Sentence. 

By the court it is, by plurality of votes, ordered and adjudged 
that defendant David Frere be imprisoned in the City Hall of 
this City and be granted copy of the demand to answer thereunto 
in writing on the next court day. 

[II, pp. 136-7.] 

Extraordinary Meeting held at the request of David d'Frere, a 
prisoner: In the City Hall, this 4 July, 1656. 

Present, N. deSille, Allard Anthony, Oloff Stevensen, Jacob 
Strycker, Jan Vinje, and Hendrick Kip. 

Whereas David Frere has petitioned to be released from con- 
finement under suflBcient bail before the decision on the demand 
of the Honble Sheriff and to deliver in his defence on the next 
court day, Resolved that the Honorable Schout and said Frere 
be heard thereupon in court. 

Schout N. d'Silla concludes that David Frere shall remain in 
prison until the case shall be definitely disposed of, maintaining 
that it is not bailable since the action is a criminal one, and in 
case the court should decide it to be so declares he protests against 
the same. 

Joseph d'Coster, interpreter for the prisoner David Frere, ap- 
pears in court, persisting by the entered petition that D: Frere 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 79 

might be released from confinement under suflBcient bail; where- 
upon it being asked if Frere was ready to answer to the demand? 
he answered, No; since he could not do so without an attorney 
or writing, requesting time thereto until next Monday. The de- 
mand and answer being deliberated on, the advice and conclusion 
of each of the Lords Burgomasters and Schepens follow: 

Allard Anthony decides that David Frere shall remain in con- 
finement according to the demand until the case be definitely 
disposed of. 

OlofE Stevensen votes that D. Frere be released from confinement 
under sufficient bail for a certain sum or by sentence. 

Jacob Strycker votes that D. Frere shall remain in confine- 
ment until the matter be disposed of. 

Jan Vinje votes the same, to remain in prison. 

Hendrick Kip votes the same; concurs with the majority. 

The court, by plurality of votes, orders and decides that David 
Frere shall remain in confinement until the case shall be definitely 
disposed of; and the above named Frere was notified on the part 
of the court, through Joseph d'Coster, as interpreter, to prepare 
his defence to the demand and deliver the same to the Secretary, 
then to be further and finally disposed of in the case, in the 
quickest manner, even though it were tomorrow. 

[II, pp. 140-1.] 

Monday, July 10, 1656. 
The Honorable Sheriff requests the court to be pleased to pass 
sentence and judgment on his entered demand and conclusion 
against David Frere. Whereupon the prisoner D: Frere and 
Joseph d'Coster, his interpreter being sent for to court, say they 
have not the answer to the demand ready as yet, but request time. 
The court orders that he, Frere, shall answer orally if not in 
writing so as to come to a conclusion. Whereupon deFrere again 
asked time to enter a writing. The Honorable Sheriff replying 
persists in his demand and conclusion entered and taken herein, 
and answers defendant's exceptions; concludes finally they can- 
not be received and therefore that his, the Sheriff's, demand shall 
be granted with costs; and that his, the deft's, exceptions and 
conclusions shall be and remain dismissed. The court ordered 
the prisoner D. Frere to deliver in his defence to the court within 
three times 24 hours, or in default thereof justice shall be done 
in the demand of the Honorable Sheriff. 



American Jewish Historical Society. 



[II, pp. 141-143.] 

Thursday, July 13. 1656. 

Schout N: deSille requests that the court would be pleased to 
pronounce judgment on his demand and conclusion entered 
against David Frere. Whereupon David Frere being heard an- 
swers in writing, as appears more fully by the same. Where- 
unto the Schout answers 

On the 1st point— the Complaint of the Bailiff: 

On the 2nd point, that it does not accord with the law of Am- 
sterdam and falls within no exception; 

On the 3rd point, that he Frere was always accompanied by a 
Jew who understood and spoke both Dutch and Hebrew. 

Concludes therefore finally it is not admissible because of sur- 
reption or obreption, and asks approval with costs. 

David Frere requests an interpreter thereupon. Joseph d'Coster 
being therefore sent for to court, the aforesaid answer and con- 
clusion of the Schout are read to him. He persists in his written 
answer. The Schout requests, therefore, expedition. The suc- 
ceeding votes and judgment consequently followed: 

Votes as to the Application of the Fine. 



Allard advises 


i for the Schout; 


and 1 for the City. 


Oloff 


i for the Schout; 


and f for the City. 


Jan Verbrugge 


i for the Schout; 


and 1 for the City. 


Strycker 


i for the Schout; 
the City. 


i for the poor; | for 


Jan Vinje 


i for the Schout; 


1 for the City. 


William Beekman, 


i for the Schout; 

the City. 


i for the poor; | foi 


Hendrick Kip, 


i for the Schout; 
the City. 


i for the poor; f for 


President Allard by the second vote concludes the application i 


for the Schout and 


f for the City. 




Votes regarding the Amount of the Fine. 


Honble Allard votes 


fl. 1,000. 


•' OlofE 




600. 


" Verbrugge ' 




600. 


Strycker 




800. 


" Vinje 




800. 


W. Beekman 




600. 


" Kip 




800. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 81 

Follows the Sentence. 

Whereas, David Frere, residing within this City of Amsterdam, 
in New Netherland, did on the 21st last, according to the Com- 
plaint of Dirck van Schelluyne in his quality as Bailiif, and his 
own acknowledgment, dare to remove, with many hasty words 
uttered in his language, from the Bailiff's house, not only against 
expressed prohibition but contrary to the Bailiff's entered pro- 
test, a certain chest with clothing which had been brought there, 
by order, that 5 beavers due him by A: Keyser should be paid 
him, and notwithstanding his 5 beavers were offered him and 
delivered in consignment; Therefore the Honorable Nicasius 
d'Sille in quality as Schout of this said City prosecuting the said 
David Frere, at law, before us Burgomasters and Schepens, con- 
cludes that for his committed fault and violence which tends not 
only to the opposing the Bailiff's ofBce but to the serious contempt 
and disregard of justice, which cannot be tolerated or suffered in a 
land of law, the above named Frere shall be condemned in the loss 
of the assigned beaver skins and that he shall in addition be pub- 
licly scourged at a stake and banished from this Province. 

Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of Amsterdam in New 
Netherland, having paid attention to the demand and conclusion 
of the Schout as well as the written answer and acknowledg- 
ment of the prisoner David Frere, and having maturely weighed 
everything material, have, after due deliberation, condemned, 
as they hereby do, the said David Frere for his aforesaid com- 
mitted offence to pay a fine of One eight hundred Carolus guilders, 
to be applied one fourth part to the benefit of the Schout and 
three fourth parts for the benefit of this City, with costs of suit; 
and to remain confined until the said moneys shall be paid; and 
the sequestered beaver skins shall again be restored to him 
d'Frere; dismissing plaintiff's further demand herein. 

Thus done, adjudged and pronounced at the Court at the City 
Hall, at Amsterdam in New Netherland, this 13th July, 1656. 

David Frere promises to pay the money; requests to be re- 
leased from confinement and that J. deCoster may be sent for. 
Joseph d'Coster appearing in court as interpreter. Apologizes 
for having now no money ready; offers to remain bail, to deliver 
goods as security. 

WTiich being considered, the aforesaid sentence w^as persisted 
in, that the monies shall be forthwith paid or that d'Frere shall 
be sent back to prison. 
8 



83 American Jewish Historical Society. 

The Honorable Nicasius d'Sille appeals from the sentence be- 
cause only 14 is applied to him, and maintains that % belongs 
to him. 

On the 15th July, 1656, David Frere appealed from the pro- 
nounced sentence to the Honorable Director General and Council 
of New Netherland, as appears by the statement of the Court 
Messenger, and further confirmation of Joseph d'Coster as inter- 
preter for David Frere, as far as relates to the sum. The Schout 
Nicasius d'Sille declares on this date 15th July to renounce or 
revoke his appeal. 

(Translation of N. T. Col. M8S., Vol. VIII, pp. 82-83, in New 
York State Library.) 

[July 24, 1656] 
To the Great Honorable Lords Director 
General and High Councillors of New 
Netherland. 
David Ferera, Jew, residing here, makes known with humble 
reverence how that the Messrs. Burgomasters and Schepens of this 
City, on the demand of the Officer [the Schout] and having noted 
the petitioner's written answer whereby he frankly confesses his 
ignorance of Dutch laws and customs and lack of knowledge of 
the language, and therefore not knowing to have sinned so 
greatly as the case has been considered, have been pleased to con- 
demn your petitioner in a fine of eight hundred guilders and the 
costs of the suit notwithstanding that the Officer in a civil suit 
has only concluded and demanded the forfeiture of a small con- 
signment of beaver skins, and whereas your petitioner is a person 
of humble circumstances and limited means and to satisfy the 
aforesaid fine would be sufficient to cause his ruin, and as he 
the petitioner is on account of this still in prison, and he by this 
sincerely declares not to have had the least intention to violate 
justice but that the fault arose from his lack of knowledge, and 
that he therefore feels himself unjustly oppressed by the sen- 
tence in so far as the same has been pronounced in a civil suit: 
He therefore humbly requests of your Honors to please issue a 
writ of appeal, with a clause of inhibition, in the usual form, and 
in the mean time to let him out of prison, offering for this Joseph 
d'Acosta as sufficient bail, as principal, for the sentence. 
Your Honors' Humble Servant: 
Was signed 

David Fereba 
Joseph d'Acosta. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 83 

[July 24, 1656.] 

The above request being read to the meeting, there was, after 
a vote, an apostille added as follows: Let a Mandate issue in 
Case of Appeal, with Clause of Inhibition. 

Done at Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, dated as above. 
(Records of New Amsterdam, II, pp. 145-146.) 
Copy. 25th July, 1656. 

Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of the Honorable High and Mighty 
Lords States-General of the United Netharlands and the Honorable 
Lords Directors of the Privileged West India Company, Director 
Greneral of New Netherland, Curasao, Bonaire and the Appendices 
thereof, with the Councillors: To the Court Messenger, Claes van 
Elslant, hereunto required. Greeting! 

Whereas, David Frera, a Jew, residing within this City has, 
by petition, represented unto us that he was condemned by the 
court of this city of Amsterdam in New Netherland on the 13th 
of this month of July, at the suit of the Officer of this City, in a 
fine of fl. 800 and costs of suit, notwithstanding that he represented 
his innocence as being ignorant of the Dutch laws, customs and 
language as he says [and as he demands] therein our provision: 

Therefore, we [warn] you herewith that you summon in the 
name of the Supreme Court the said officer to appear before us 
here in Fort Amsterdam on the 25th of this month; notifying 
the court aforesaid to come also or to send attornies to see the 
said judgment either confirmed, annulled or set aside by us; the 
same to sustain or renounce, as their wisdom shall direct; leaving 
authentic copy for the benefit of the said Officer, rendering unto 
us your return. 

Given in Amsterdam in N. Netherland, under our Seal, Para- 
phure and Signature of our Secretary, the 24th July, 1656. 
Was Signed 

P, Stuyvesant, 

By order of the Honorable Director General and Council of 
New Netherland 

C. V. RUYVEN. 

Beneath was impressed the Public Seal in wax. 
Votes as to whom to commission pursuant to the preceding 
Mandamus: 

Votes of the Honorable Allard /^^f Stej^^^e^ 

iJoh. Verbrugge 

votes of Oloff Jf; t°^^°°y 

\Joh. Verbrugge 



84 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Votes of Verbrugge Both Burgomasters 

Votes of Vinje Both Burgomasters 

Votes of Kip Both Burgomasters 

Plurality of Votes Both Burgomasters 

(N. Y. Col. MSB., Vol. VIII, pp. 90-91, in New York State Library, 
Translation.) 
To the Honorable, Greatly Esteemed Di- 
rector General and High Councillors of 
New Netherland. 
Copy. 
Honorable Greatly Esteemed Lords: 

It was proper that David Ferera, Jew, by petition presented to 
your Greatly Esteemed Honors requested and was granted an 
appeal from the sentence imposed civilly by the Lords Magis- 
trates with regard to his acknowledged ignorantly committed 
fault; Now, considering that petitioner's intention is no longer 
to prosecute his appeal and thereby to proceed to the uttermost 
against the Lord Officer, but, in view of his ignorance in the fault 
committed by him, to place himself and his poor condition at the 
merciful discretion and commiseration of your Greatly Esteemed 
Honors' pity, he therefore submissively requests that your 
Greatly Esteemed Honors be pleased to remit the all too heavily 
imposed fine, or at least to lighten the same to such an extent 
that he can bear it and consequently be able to be discharged 
from his long incarceration. Doing this etc.. Below stood 
Yours Greatly Esteemed Honors' 
Humble Servant 
Was signed 

David Febera. 

There appeared at the meeting, according to the tenor of the 
mandate granted to David Frera, 

July 26, the Lord Officer, together with the Lords Burgomasters 
of the City, A. Anthony and Oloff Stevens, and having heard 
read the above petition, the Lord Officer requests, in the first 
place, that there should be noted on the same that which follows: 
The Schout requests adjudication of the fine to the full appeal, 
and that on the said sentence letters of execution shall be noted, 
according to their form and contents, with expenses, and if so 
wished, a clause pledging the money considered in the sentence. 
Dated as above. 



Early History of the Jews in New YorJc — Oppcnheim. 85 

(N. Y. Col. MSS., Vol. VIII, pp. 91-92, in New York State Library. 
Translation.) 

At a meeting: Present the Lord Director General Peter Stuy- 
vesant and the Lords Councillors, J: LaMontagne. 

Dirck van Schelluyne asked, whether he intimated to the Jew, 
David deFerera that he should bring the chest with goods to the 
house of the Keeper, answered No, but that the said Jew himself 
tried to sell the said goods, and caused the chest to be brought 
by a cart man to his house, and in his absence, he being on busi- 
ness at the house of deJonge to which the above mentioned 
Jew came to him, and speaking through an interpreter informed 
Schelluyne that he had caused the chest with clothing to be 
brought to his house, demanding payment of what was coming to 
him therefor, whereupon he, Schelluyne, answered him, in a day 
or two his money would be forthcoming; the Jew, through the 
interpreter, said he must have the money at once, otherwise he 
would have the goods again taken away, which the Jew also 
immediately caused to be done notwithstanding Dirck van Schel- 
luyne warned him not to do so and protested to him against the 
same, so that the Jew has caused the chest with clothes to be 
brought to the house of Dirck van Schelluyne and again taken 
away from there without Dirck van Schelluyne having seen the 
chest. 

Thus declared by Dirck van Schelluyne to the meeting present 
as above held in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, the 26th 
of July, Ao. 1656. 

(Records of New Amsterdam, II, pp. 146-147.) 
Whereas, David d'Ferere, Jew, has appealed from an action 
instituted by the Honorable Schout N. deSilla before the Burgo- 
masters and Schepens of this City and from the sentence pro- 
nounced therein dated 13 July inst. to the Honorable Director 
General and Council of New Netherland and by petition civilly 
requested abatement of said sentence, as by his petition is ap- 
pearing: Therefore the Honorable Director General and Council 
of New Netherland have ordered, to prevent costs and so dispatch 
the suit quickly, that parties under due compromise shall each 
choose an arbitrator, whereunto their Honors have adjoined the 
Honorable LaMontagne as a third: Therefore parties being met 
together thereupon, Schout Nicasius deSilla chose on his side 
Capt. Paulus Leenderts van die Grift, and David d'Ferere Joseph 



86 American Jewish Historical Society. 

deCoster, to the decision of whom, their chosen arbitrators, parties 
declare to submit themselves, to abide by the same and accomplish 
it, under a bond of three hundred Carolus guilders to be forfeited 
by whosoever shall not accept the same. Submitting to this 
effect to all courts and judges. 

In testimony whereof it is signed by the respective parties 
and witnesses, on both sides, this 26 July, 1656. At Amsterdam in 
N. Netherland. 

Was signed 

NiCAsrus deSuxe 
David Febebe 



Augustine Heermans, Daniel Litschoe. 
In presence of me, 

Jacob Kep, 

Sec'y. 

Pursuant to the above deed of compromise, the arbitrators met 
together at the instance [of J the Honorable LaMontagne thereunto 
adjoined by the Honorable Director General and Council as a 
third, and gave as their decision that the aforesaid David Ferere 
shall pay for the behoof of the Schout N. deSilla the sum of one 
hundred and twenty Carolus Guilders and defray besides the 
costs of suit, estimated at fifty guilders, together with the costs 
Incurred by this appearance. 

In testimony is this signed by the arbitrators on both sides 
this 26 July, 1656. At Amsterdam in New Netherland. 



Was signed 



In presence of me, 



P. L. Van die Gbift, 
Joseph daCosta, 
LaMontagne 



Jacob Kip, 

Secretary 

Parties declare, on both sides, to submit themselves to the above 
decision. Done as above: 
Which I witness, 

Jacob Kip, 

Secretary. 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 87 

VII. 
Petition of Moses daSilva to the Directors of the West India 
Company, Dated at Amsterdam, August 24, 1656. 
(Translation of N. Y. Col. MS8., Vol. XII, p. 43, in New York 
State Library.) 
Copy. 

To the Ever Honorable, Greatly Wise 
and Very Foreseeing Lords, my Lords 
the Directors of the Chartered West 
India Company, Chamber of Am- 
sterdam. 
Moses da Silva, merchant, residing within the said city, show- 
eth reverently and with proper reverence that he, the petitioner, 
on May 1, 1655, had laden here in this city, in the ship named 
New Amsterdam, skipper Pieter Dirckssen, the destination being 
New Netherland, forty ankers of brandy, marked as in the margin, 
" S," to deliver, according to the bill of lading, to David Fereira 
or in his absence to Abram deLucena there, and that the afore- 
said ship having arrived at Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 
said skipper, contrary to his aforesaid bill of lading, delivered 
the aforesaid lot of forty ankers into the warehouse of the Com- 
pany, regarding which a question and law suit arose there between 
David Ferera, to whom the same were consigned, and the skipper 
who was condemned by the court there to carry out his bill of 
lading, which he has not done, notwithstanding the said admoni- 
tion and decision, and the goods from said ship is still held 
there in your warehouse: Therefore your petitioner humbly turns 
to your Worships, requesting that the aforesaid forty ankers may 
be made good and paid for to him, at least at such price as that 
at which the same could have been sold for at the time. All 
this appears by the accompanying documents to which he refers. 
Which doing, my Lords, &c. 

Was signed, Moses da Silva. 

At the side was apostilled: 
Referred to the Accountants to examine the contents of this 
and the annexed exhibits, and to report to the meeting. 

Done at a meeting of the Directors of the West India Company, 
in Amsterdam, the twenty fourth of August, 1656. 
Below stood, 

By their Order, 
and signed, C. van Seventer. 



88 American Jewish Historical Society. 

Letter of Directoks of West India Company to Directob and 

CouNCn, OF New Nethebland, Dated Novembek 16, 1656, 

Enclosing Petition of Moses daSelva. 

(Translation by Mr. A. J. F. van Laer, Archivist, N. Y. State 
Library, of JSf. Y. Col. MSS., Vol. XII, p. 42.) 

Honorable, Pious, Dear, Faithful [Gentlemen] : 

What Moses daSilva, Jewish merchant here, has requested us, 
you will see from the accompanying copy of the petition presented 
to us, and inasmuch as we fully perceive from the papers annexed 
hereto, not only that the said daSilva is founded in his just re- 
quest but also that the 14th of March last past your Honors pro- 
nounced sentence in the matter against the late fiscal Tienhoven, 
which sentence, for reasons unknown to us, has not been carried 
out so that the said daSilva has not enjoyed the benefit thereof, we 
have upon examination of the said sentence and for the further- 
ance of justice thought fit to order and recommend your Honors 
hereby to hold the said Tienhoven liable to the same, in order that 
the said Silva may receive satisfaction in accordance with the 
aforesaid sentence, or, in case of refusal, that the said sentence be 
executed according to law. 

Trusting that this will be done, we commend you, Honorable, 
Pious, Dear Faithful Gentlemen to God's protection and remain, 
Your Honors' good friends. 
The Directors of the West India Company, 
Chamber of Amsterdam, 

(signed) Jsaack van Beeck 

PaXJLUS TlMMEBilAN 

Amsterdam the 16th of November, 1656. 
To the Director and Council of New Netherland. 

VIII. 

Writ of Appeal in Jacob Barsimson vs. Wabneb Wessels. 

(Translation of N. Y. Col. M8S., Vol. XVI, Part 4, p. 9, in New 
York State Library.) 

Peter Stuyvesant, representing their Noble High Mightinesses 
the States-General of the United Netherlands and the Noble 
Lords Directors of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber 
of Amsterdam, Director General of New Netherland, Curasao, 
Bonaire, Aruba and their Appendices, together with the Honorable 
Councillors: 



Early History of the Jews in New Yorh — Oppenheim. 89 

To the Court Messenger, CJaes van Elslant, Jr. hereto commis- 
sioned, Greettxg: 

Whebeas, Warner Wessels has, by petition, remonstrated to us 
that he feels himself greatly aggrieved by the judgment of the 
Honorable Court of this City, dated 29th January last, between 
him and Jacob Barsimson, Jew, whereby he was condemned to 
pay to the said Jacob Barsimson a hogshead of tobacco and sev- 
eral loose sheaves [menoken], amounting together to the quan- 
tity of 400 lbs. at 7 stivers a pound, which the said Barsimson 
claims to have left in the cellar of Warner Wessels, which the 
said Barsimson has not proved and cannot prove by all the docu- 
ments produced by him and his statements; so that he therefore 
asks some provision of us: 

Therefore we charge you to summon the said Jacob Barsimson 
to appear before us here at Fort Amsterdam on Thursday the 
20th of March or to send an attorney in order to answer to such 
complaint and conclusion as the said Warner Wessels shall make 
and take against him, provided the said day is suitable to the 
pleasure of the said Court for him to appear, or to send his 
attorney, in order to annul or confirm the said judgment; leaving 
a copy on behalf of the parties, reporting to us what has occurred. 

Given at our meeting held at Fort Amsterdam in New Nether- 
land, on February 27, 1659. 

IX. 

Residence of Abraham de Lucena, October 10, 1656. 
(From MS. Volume, entitled "Mortgages of Lots and Pieces of 
Land in the City of New Amsterdam, 1654-1660," in office of City 
Clerk, New York, page 43.) 

On the 17th October, 1656, Rutger Jacobsen, residing at Fort 
Orange, hath mortgaged in favor of Mr. Johnannis Withart his 
house and lot situate within this city, at present occupied by 
Abraham Luecina, a Jew, for the sum of fifteen hundred and 
twenty-eight guilders, payable in Beaver, next June Ao. 1657, 
as more fully appears by extract of the mortgage executed by 
said Rut. Jacobsen before the Vice Director and Commissary and 
Commissioners of Fort Orange on the date aforesaid, as appears 
by the exhibit to me. 
Which I testify. 

Jacob Kip, Secretary, 

10 
24 
1656. 



90 American Jewish Historical Society. 



(Translation of Dutch in Volume in Albany County Clerk's 
office entitled "Court Minutes, 2, 1658-1660. Mortgages, No. 1, 
1652-1660.") 

23 July Ao. 1658. 

Asser Levy, attorney for Joseph d'Acosta, complainant, against 
Hans Coenraetsen, defendant. 

Complainant demands payment of 132 guilders in which the 
defendant has been condemned by the court of justice of Recife 
in Brazil, which act of condemnation he produces. Defendant 
acknowledges the debt, but says that he was driven away from 
Brazil by the enemy. Complainant replies that the defendant a 
year before that had been condemned to pay in cash and that in 
pieces of eight, and therefore maintains that he must pay in said 
money or in beavers or current money. The court having heard 
the parties condemns the defendant to pay the amount in cash, 
provided that the complainant shall produce security until he 
shall show perfect procuration from Joseph d'Acosta. 

XI. 

MOBTGAGE, COENELIS JaNSEN PLUIVIEE TO ASSEB LEVT, 

April 30, 1659. 

(From MSS. Volume, entitled "Mortgages of Lots and Pieces 
of Land in the City of New Amsterdam, 1654-1660," in office of 
City Clerk, New York, p. 129.) 

Before us, the underwritten Schepens of the City Amsterdam 
in New Netherland, appeared Cornells Jansen Pluivier, burgher 
and inhabitant of this city, who acknowledges and declares to 
be well and truly indebted unto Asser Levy, a Jew, co-burgher 
and inhabitant here, in the sum of sixteen hundred and twenty 
five guilders and twenty stivers each, Holland currency, on account 
of the loaned monies for purchased goods which he the appearer 
hath satisfactorily received from Abraham Cohn, merchant at 
Amsterdam, according to Act thereof executed before the Notary 
Jan Molengraef and certain witnesses, dated 27th January, 1659, 
which aforesaid fl. 1625. he, the appearer, hereby promises shall 
be sent over to the above named Abraham Cohn or his order, in 
good merchantable beavers at five guilders ten stivers each, and 
that on the departure of the first sailing ship according to bond 
included in the above Acte dated 27th January remaining with 
and consigned to the above named Asser Levy, and that precise 



Early History of the Jews in New York — Oppenheim. 91 

without further delay, thereunto saving the aforesaid bond, 
pledging by special mortgage unto Asser Levy, consignee of the 
above named Abraham Cohn, his the appearer's house and lot 
lying and being Heere Straat within this City, bounded easterly 
and northerly by the above named Heere Straat and the City 
wall, westerly by Dome Drysius and southerly by the house and 
lot of Jacobus Vis and the Company's garden, in order, through 
default of payment of the aforesaid sum at the time affixed, to 
recover the same therefrom free of cost and charges, and further 
generally his person and property, moveable and immoveable, 
present and future, subject to all courts and judges. 

In testimony of the truth, these presents are signed by the 
appearer and the Worsh'll Schepens Jeronimus Ebbinck, Jacob 
Kip, the 30th April, 1659, in Amsterdam in New Netherland. 

CoBNEiJS Janse Plxjvier 

Jeboximus Ebbinck 

Jacob Kip. 

XII. 
Memorandum as to Assee Levy in 1662. 
(From volume entitled "Minutes of the Notary Public, Solomon 
LaChair, Jan. 20, 1661, to May 23, 1664," in office of City Clerk, 
New York.) 

[p. 227.] 

2 May [1662]. 
For Asser Levy drew two Notes against Auke Jans for the sum 
of fl. 412.4 Wampum, payable before the departure of this year's 
ships. Owes fl. 1.10. 

[p. 306.] 

On the 5th June [1662] went with Asser Levy over to the 
Ferry and there drew up a notarial obligation against Auke 
Jans. 

For my attendance and journey fl. 2. 

For writing the obligation 1.10. 

Wrote another obligation for Asser Levy against Evert Dircxe 
Tan Nas for the sum of fl. 30 1. 

[p. 382.] 

About Sept. 4, 1662. 

For Asser Levy four letters to Patria, each two pages; one 
guilder 10 stiv. a page 12. 

Also 4 invoices and closing and sealing same 6. 



IXDEX. 



Aroab, Rabbi Isaac, 39, 48. 
Aboaf, Jacob, 3, 4. 
Accoord van Brasilien, 38, 48. 
Acosta, Uriel, 15. 
Adler, E. N., 15. 
Aitzema, L., 38. 
Alberszen, Storm, 62. 
Ambrosius, Moses, 57, 69. 
American Jeic as Patriot, 39. 
American Jeicish Hist. Soc, 
Pubs. of. 2, 3. 16, 19, 28, 
36-9, 45-6, 57-68. 
Amsterdam, 3, 24, 33, 35. 

Classis of, 2, 20, 49, 73. 

Jetvs of, in 1655. 15. 
Annales cles Provinces TJnics, 40. 
Annarundell County, Md., 57. 
Anthony, Allard, 61, 78-80, 83-4. 
Asher, G. M., Essay, etc., 37. 
Atheists, 74. 
Bahia, 47-9. 

Barbados, 11, 13, 16, 17, 43. 
Barlaeus, Caspar, 47. 
Barreto, Francisco, 38. 
Earsimson, J., 3, 4, 24-8, 42, 49- 

50, 52, 61-2, 68-9. 
Basnage, 40. 
Beaverwyck, The, 65. 
Beekman, William, 80. 
Benjamin, W. R., 22. 
Biet, Antoine, 17, 43, 45. 
Blaeu's Atlas, 47. 
Elanck, Jurien, 75. 
Bogardus, W., 76. 
Bontemantel, Hans, 13, 16, 20-1. 
Bowne, John, Quaker, 23. 
Brazil, 6, 10, 12, 22, 37-8, 40, 43- 

51, 63, 73, 90. 
Southey's History of, 38. 

Brazilianische Geschichte, 47. 
Brisil. Histoire des Derniers 
Troubles du. 48. 
Les Hollandais au. 40. 
Bridge Street, 68. 
British Museum, 63. 
Britto, Fernando dias de, 15. 
Broad Street, 67. 
Bueno, Abraham Isaac, 15. 
Burgomasters, 5, 6, 7, 3.5-6. 



Cahrel, 41. 

Calendar of State Papers, 17. 

X. Y. Hist. MSS., 29, 58, 61, 66. 
Camonique, 45. 
Cape Cod, 40. 

Cape St. Anthony, 46-9, 69. 
Cardoso, Benjamin, 28. 
Carribean Islands, 44, 46. 
Catholics, 17, 20. 
Cayenne, 45. 
Charles II. 63. 
Chatham Square, 19. 
Christopher [St.], 11, 13. 
Churches of New York, History, 

22. 
City Hall, 36. 
Classis of Amsterdam, 2, 20, 49, 

73. 
Coenratse, Abraham, 90. 
Cohen, Abraham, 15, 64, 90-1. 
Cohen, Jacob, 19, 27, 60-1, 75. 
Collector. The. 22. 
Corneilsen, Jan, 61. 
Corwin, Rev. Dr. E. T., 23, 51, 

53, 73. 
Cray, Tennis, 30, 67. 
Cromwell, 16. 
Cuba, 46-8. 
Curasao, 66. 
DaCosta, Isaac, 40. 
d'Acosta, Joseph, 15-6, 26, 28-9, 

32, 36, 55-6, 60, 63, 67, 76-82, 

86, 90. 
Daly, Charles P., 19, 26, 28, 34, 

65. 
Dandamie, Thomas, 42. 
d'Andrada, Salvador, 7, 19, 26- 

32, 36, 49, 52, 59, 67, 75. 
daSilva, Moses, 58, 61, 87-8. 
Davidson, Sir William, 63. 
Deaconry, The, 4. 
deBarrios, 63. 
deCarreman, Michiel, 16, 28. 76, 

78. 
deCrasto, Francisco Vaz, 15. 
deFerera, David, 7, 26, 32, 49, 

52-9, 68, 74, 77-87. 
DeJonge, 85. 



93 



94 



Index. 



de laMotthe, Jacques, 42, 45, 48, 

68-9. 
deLucena, Abraham, 6, 7, 19, 26- 
8, 32, 36, 42, 49, 52-9, 61, 68, 
75, 87, 89. 

Jacob, 60. 

Moses, 60, 64. 

Punto, 6. 
deMercado, Abr., 16. 

David R., 17. 
deMereda, Judicq, 66, 69. 
deMerode, J., 66. 
dePeyster, Johannes, 71. 
dePinto, Jacob, 15. 
dePiso, dePyse, Abraham Israel, 

63. 
deSille, Nicasius, 6, 25, 27, 32, 

36, 54-5, 75, 77-8, 80-1, 85-6. 
deSousa, Diego Vaz, 15. 

Louys Rodrigues, 15. 

Symon, 15. 
Dieppe, Normandy, 42. 
Dirckssen, Pieter, 87. 
Docs. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8, 

23-4, 28, 33, 64, 67. 
Douwes or Douwessen, Harman, 

57, 74-5. 
Drysius, Domine, 91. 
Duke's Laws, 22. 
Dutch West India Co., 1, 7, 12-4, 
18, 27-31, 54, 56, 64, 74. 

Jewish Shareholders in. 14ff. 
duTertre, Jean Baptiste, 18, 45-6. 
Duyvelant, Jean Adriensen, 60. 
Ebbinck, Jeronimus, 91. 
Ecclesiastical Records of N. Y., 

2, 20, 23, 44, 51, 73. 
Egerton MSS., No. 2551, 63. 
England, 1. 

The Return of the Jews to, 16. 
EnRiques, Joshua Mordekay, 66. 
Essequibo, 37, 62. 
Eversen, Jacob, 74. 

Wessel, 65. 
Felle, Simon, 42. 
Fereira, David, 87. See deFerera. 
Ferera, Italy, 56. 
Ferera. See deFerera. 
Fernow, Berthold, 8, 9, 70. 
Fort Orange, 27, 31, 33, 65. 
France, 18, 42. 
Frances, Joseph, 67. 
Frankel's Monatsschrift, 39. 
Frera. See deFerera. 



Friedenwald, Dr. Herbert, 63. 
Frontiera, Ruij Grommes, 15. 
GAI.LARD0, Jean, 60. 
Gamonike, 45-7. 
Geschichte der Israeliten, 39. 
Geschiedenis der Joden in Ne- 

derland, 14, 40. 
Great Christopher, 59. 
Greenleaf, Jonathan, 22. 
Guadaloupe, 17. 
Guiana, 37, 45, 47. 
HaMeaseph, 39. 
Harris's Voyages, 45. 
Hebrews, 15. 
Hebrews in America, 34. 
Heermans, Augustyn, 59, 87. 
Hermans, Dierckje, 65. 
Hendricus, Jacob Cohen, 35. 
Henriques, Francisco lopo, 15. 
Henriques, H. S. Q., 16. 
Henriques, Jacob Cohen, 26, 32, 

36, 97-8. 
Hispanic Society of America, 6. 
Histoire Gencrale des Ant-Isles, 

18, 45-6. 
Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania, 18-20, 66. 
Holland, 1-3, 6, 14, 24, 44, 50, 59, 

61, 73. 
Hollander, Dr. J. H., 57. 
Hollandais au Bresil, 40. 
Holland Society of New York, 

Year Book of, 3, 32. 
Hiihner, Leon, 46, 65. 
Independents, 74. 
Innes, J. H., 42, 67. 
Inquisition, 11, 13, 47-8. 
Israel, Abraham, 28, 63, 69. 

dePyse, Pisa or Piso, 63. 

David, 28, 69, 70. 

Isaac, 28, 42, 76. 

Jacob, 64. 
Israel and the Gentiles, 40. 
Itamarica, 38, 43. See Tamarca. 
Jacobs, Henky E., 22. 
Jacobsen, Pieter, 72. 

Rutger, 58-9. 
Jamaica, 44-6, 66. 
Jans, Auke, 91. 

Pieterje, 58, 74-5. 
Jansen, Jan, 60. 

Rem, 74. 
Jansonii, Joanis, Atlas, 47. 
Jastrow, Rev. Dr. Marcus, 48. 



Index. 



95 



Jennis, Dionis, 15. 
Jewish Burying Ground, 19, 75. 
Jewish Encyclopedia. 14, 16. 
Jeuish Hist. Soc. of Eng., 15. 
Jewish Shareholders in W. I. 

Co., 14 ff. 
Jewish Synagogue, 65. 
Jeios and the English Law, The, 

16. 
Jews of Spain and Portugal. 

Hist, of, 40. 
Joghimsen, Daniel. 65. 
Jordan, Dr. John W., 19. 
Jost, J. M., 39, 40. 
Juden in Portugal, Kayserling, 

48. 
Kamomioque, 45. 
Kayserling, 48. 
Keyser, Adrien, 54-5, 77, 81. 
Kieft, Gov., 69. 
Kip, Hendrick, 78-80, 84. 
Isaac, 72. 

Jacob, 72, 86, 89, 91. 
Koenen, H. J., 14, 16. 40. 
Kohler, Max J., 3, 28. 
Kohut, George A., 39, 63. 
LaChair, Solomon Pieteksex, 

53, 91. 
laMarquies, Francois, 42. 
laMontagne, 27, 32, 75, 85. 
laMotthe. See de laMotthe. 
Leeven, Asser, 70-1. See Levy. 
Lenox Library, 17, 19, 22, 47. 
Levy, Asser, 2, 24-6, 35, 45, 53, 

60-1, 63-5, 68, 70-1, 90-1. 
Library of Congress, 22. 
Lindo, E. H., 40. 
Litschoe, Daniel, 86. 
Lockermans, Govert, 71. 
London, 11, 13, 16. 
Long Island, 44. 
Lumbrozo, Jacob, 57. 
Lumbrosio, or Lumbrozio, 57. 
Lutherans, 20, 22-3, 74. 
Lutheran Church History of. 22. 
Luyckersen, Maryn, 62. 
Maas, Gkytie, 60. 
Machoro, David, 63. 
Manhattan, 5, 39. 
Manual of Reformed Church. 23. 
Markens, Isaac, 34. 
Marketfield Street, 68. 
Martinique, 11, 13, 17-8, 46. 
Martyn, Jan, 1, 71. 



Maryland. Archives of, 57. 

Records of Prov. Court. 57. 
Maurits-Stadt, 38. 
Megapolensis, Rev. Johannes, 2, 

6, 49-52, 73. 
Meindersen, Egbert, 64. 
Mendes, David Franco, 39, 41, 43. 
Mennonites, 74. 
Mereda, Judicq de, 66, 69. 
Merode, J. De, 66. 
Mertens, Jan, 65. 
Mesa, Isaiah, 66. 
Meza, Mesa, Mera, Isaac, 66. 
Midwout, 44, 73. 
Mill Street, 65. 
Mills, James, 42. 
Molengraef, Jan, 90. 
Montfort, Peter, 61. 
Moore, Dr. George H., 22. 
Moreau, Pierre, 48. 
Munster, Treaty of, 14. 
Nagle, Jan, 65. 

Naugera, Balth'r Alvares, 15. 
Netherlands, 24. 
Netscher, P. M., 40. 
New Amsterdam, 1, 2, 6, 7, 16, 

28, 37, 44, 46, 48-50, 64. 
'New Amsterdam and its People, 

42, 67. 
New Bowery, 19. 
New Brunswick, N. J., 51, 73. 
New Holland, 39. 
New Netherland, 3, 9, 10-1, 18, 

20-2, 31. 37, 44, 66. 
Laws and Ordinances of, 34. 
New York, 53. 

City Clerk of, 41-2, 59-61, 65, 

72, 89, 90. 
A". Y. Colonial MSS.. 3, 21, 25, 

28-30, 32-3, 36, 62, 66-7, 74-6, 

82. 84-5. 87-8. 
N. Y. Gen. d Biog. Record, 3. 
N. Y. Historical Society, 22. 
N. y.. Memorial Hist, of, 22. 
N. Y., Valentine's Hist, of, 26. 
Nounes, Ricke, 45, 53, 70-2. 
Nunes, Andres Christoual, 15. 
Nunes, Ricke. See Nounes. 
Nyssen, Tennis, 59. 
O'Callaghan, E. B., 34. 
Orphanm aster's Court, Minutes 

of. 60. 
Osorio, Bento, 15. 
Ossorio, David, 15. 



96 



Index. 



Ozorio, Fernando, 15. 

Jacomo, 15. 
Papists, 20. 
Parquet, M., 17. 
Paskaart van . . . Brazilie, 6. 
Piarl Street, 57, 67, 74. 
Ptartree, The, 3, 4, 61. 
Pcrera, Abraham Isaac, 15. 

Abraham and Isaac, 15. 
Perehoom, Be. See Peartree. 
Pernambuco, 9. 

Petition of Portuguese Jews, 9. 
Pietersen, Solomon, 53, 68, 71-2. 
Pisa, Italy, 63. 
Pluivier, C. J., 64, 90-1. 
Polheymus, Johannes Theodo- 

rus, 2, 43-5, 73. 
Pomeroon, Jewish Colony In, 

37, 62. 
Portugal and the Portuguese, 

10, o7-8. 
Portuguese Jews, 9-11, 13, 33. 
Puritans, 74. 
Quaker, 23. 

Recife, 6, 37-8, 43, 45-6. 48, 63, 90. 
Records of New Amsterdam. 4, 

5, 16, 24, 26, 28, 34-5, 41-6, 

48, 50-1, 54-86. 
Reformed Church in America, 

Collegiate Dutch, 53. 
Manual of. 23. 
General Synod of, 51, 73. 
Revue des Etudes Juives, 18. 
Rios, Josepho de los, 15. 
Rosenbach, Dr. A. S. W., 28. 
Rosendale, Hon. S. W., 65. 
Ruijter, Claes Jansen, 57, 74. 
Sabbath, Jewish, 17-8, 24, 62. 
Sage Library, 51, 73. 
St. Catrina, Gatarine, Catherine, 

41. 
St. Charles, 37, 39-43, 53, 57, 63, 

68. 
St. Pierre, 17. 
Scarlett, Samuel, 59. 
Serveyn, Romeyn, 59. 
Settlement of the Jews in North 

America, Daly's, 19, 26, 28, 

34, 65. 
Shareholders, Jewish, in W. I. 

Co.. 14ff. 
Silva, Elias, 61. 
South America, 47. 
Southey's Hist, of Brazil, 38. 



South RiA'er, 26-9, 31, 33, 54, 57. 

66. 
South William Street, 68. 
Spain, 10, 12, 14. 
Siiotted Cote, 16. 
States-General, 10. 
Stevensen, Ollof, 77-80, 83-4. 
Stone Street, 67. 
Strycker, Jacob, 78-80. 
Stuvvesant, 1-7, 19-21, 25-7, 30- 

37, 49, 52, 55, 67, 83, 85, 88. 
Surinam, Surinam River, 45. 
Tamaeca. Tamarica, 38, 43, 45-6. 
Timmerman, Paulus. 88. 
Tobacco, Importation of, 57, 61. 
Tonneman, Peter, 36. 
Valentine, David, 26. 
Valentine's Manual. 65-7. 

History of N. Y., 26. 
vanBeeck, Isaack, 88. 
van Couwenhoven, Jacob W., 

16, 67, 76. 
Vanderkemp's Translation, 2. 
vandieGrift, Paulus L., 85-6. 
vanElslant, Claes, 83. 
van Laer, A. J. F., 4, 88. 
van Nas, Evert Dircxe, 91. 
vanRuyven, Cornells, 67, 74-6. 

83. 
van Schelluj^ne. Dirck, 54, 77, 

81, 85. 
vanSeventer, C, 87. 
vanTienhoven, Cornelis, 5, 25, 

28, 58, 75. 
Vaz, Aron Chamiz, 15. 
Verbrugge, Jan, 78, 80, 84. 
Versteeg. Dingman, 18. 32. 
Vinje, Jan. 78-80. 84. 
Virginia, 57. 
Vis. Jacob, 91. 
Voogt, C. J.. 6. 
Voyage de la France Equinoxi- 

ale, 17, 43-5. 
Waterhont, Peter D., 58. 
Wessels, Warner, G2, 89. 
West India Co. See Dutch W. I. 

Co. 
West Indies, 5. 6, 44-7, 71-2. 

Jeivs in British. 63. 
Whitehall Street, 68. 
Wilson, J. G., 22. 
Withart. Johannis, 76. 
Wolf, Simon, 39. 
Young Israel, 48. 



THE EAELY HISTORY OF THE JEWS 
IN NEW YORK, 1654-1664. 

SOME NEW MATTER ON THE SUBJECT. 



BT 

SAMUEL OPPENHEIM. 



Printed for the Author 

And for the Publications of the American Jewish Historical 

Society, No. 18 (1909). 



COPYRIGETT, 1909, 

BY SAMUEL OPPENHEIM, 

Residence, 811 Dawson St., Bronx Borough, N. Y. 

Formerly, at 141 East 111th St., N. Y. 



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